DEADLINE-DAY transfer rumours are rife that George McCartney is on the verge of a shock move back to Sunderland.

The Wearsiders had a £4.5million bid for the West Ham defender rejected by the east Londoners and the player earlier in the summer.

But Black Cats boss Roy Keane is desperate to sign a left-sided full-back and is thought to have tabled a renewed offer of £6million for the 27-year-old.

And it seems to have paid off, with media reports suggesting the Northern Ireland international is at the north-east club undergoing a medical, despite only recently penning a new long-term contract with the Hammers.

McCartney spent nine years at Sunderland prior to a £600,000 move to West Ham in 2006 which saw Clive Clarke move in the opposite direction.

He has established himself as a first-team regular at Upton Park and a crowd favourite during his two years with the club.

That saw him voted as runner-up in the Hammer of the Year award last season after featuring in every single league and cup game.

Should he join the Stadium of Light outfit, McCartney would link up with former team mate Anton Ferdiand, who signed from West Ham for £8million last week.