CHERRIES boss Eddie Howe is reportedly set to enter the bidding for Jermain Defoe’s signature in the summer.

The Sunderland hitman has struck 14 Premier League goals this season and has been recalled to the England squad after a four-year international absence.

Defoe admitted last week that he needed to be operating at the top level to fulfil his dream of representing the Three Lions at next year’s World Cup in Russia.

And with Sunderland seven points adrift of safety, the frontman could head for the exit door at the end of the campaign.

The Sun claims Defoe’s former club West Ham will join Cherries in the chase for the striker, who joined the Black Cats from Toronto in January 2015.

But while the 34-year-old is held in great regard at Dean Court for his prolific loan spell with Cherries 16 years ago – when he played alongside Howe – Defoe’s relationship with West Ham soured when he departed the London club on poor terms.

He asked the Hammers for a transfer in the wake of their Premier League relegation in 2003 and eventually left for Tottenham nine months later.

Meanwhile, Cherries loan star Jack Wilshere is rumoured to be keen on a move to Italian giants AC Milan.

Wilshere is due to return to Arsenal this summer but his long-term future remains unclear.

He was linked with a switch to Italy before he opted to sign for Cherries and the Daily Mail reports that former England captain David Beckham – who spent two loan spells at Milan late in his career – has advised Wilshere to join the seven-time European champions.