Jermain Defoe has a relegation release clause in Sunderland deal

Jermain Defoe has a relegation release clause in his Sunderland contract which will be triggered if the Black Cats are to drop to the Championship.

The 34-year-old has been largely responsible for keeping his club in the top division having netted 15 goals during the course of the previous campaign.

He has continued his good form in the current season as well with his 14 goals keeping the club within close range of the bottom clubs.

David Moyes' side are currently seven points adrift of seventeenth-placed Swansea City with a game in hand, but it looks more and more that they could get relegated unless they get on yet another miracle run.

According to ESPN, the veteran does have an escape clause attached to his current contract which he could activate on the Black Cats' relegation from the top flight.

Defoe has recently earned himself a call-up to the England squad under Gareth Southgate, and he will be hoping to maintain his place by staying put in the Premier League next season.

Former clubs West Ham United and Bournemouth have been credited an interest in the experienced marksman, who found the net on his Three Lions return against Lithuania on Sunday.