Defoe has been a man in-demand since leaving Scottish champions Rangers earlier this month, as several sides spy a free transfer bargain.
The hitman’s former club Sunderland emerged as a genuine option for him, but former Black Cats boss Lee Johnson was not keen on signing him.
However, Johnson was dismissed from his post on Sunday owing to a poor run of results in League One and a 6-0 loss at Bolton.
Defoe has strong interest from several clubs in League One but is now set to head back to the Stadium of Light.
The 39-year-old will return to the Wearside giants in a player-coach role, the same capacity he had at Rangers at the beginning of this season.
As Defoe is a free agent, Sunderland are not required to complete his signing before tonight’s transfer deadline while they also deal with the pressing matter of finding a new boss.
Everton interim boss Duncan Ferguson is claimed to be a top of Sunderland’s list of candidates while former Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy has contacted the club’s hierarchy to register interest in becoming their manager for a second spell.
