KEANE IN £8m ANTON RAID

SUNDERLAND have tabled an £8million bid for West Ham centre-half Anton Ferdinand.

The Hammers are ready to accept the offer having been surprised that Ferdinand has just turned down a generous offer of a new contract.

West Ham were ready to double Ferdinand's money - pushing him towards the £40,000-a-week bracket.

But the former England Under-21 international defender has snubbed it. Aware of the current deadlock, Sunderland boss Roy Keane who wants to bolster his defence as he seeks to push the club on this season, has moved in.

North East rivals Newcastle have also expressed an interest in Ferdinand, 23, but have yet to make a firm bid.

Sunderland, on the other hand, were hoping to push the deal through in time for the big kick-off. But Ferdinand is still pondering his future.

Threat

The player will have to reflect that, after more than two years of being a regular at Upton Park, his place is under threat with the emergence of 19-year-old James Tomkins.

And he may feel playing under Keane could be the boost his career needs having failed to step up to full international level.

The Hammers are keen to reverse a policy of offloading products of their academy.

Over the past decade, stars such as Anton's brother Rio, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick have all moved on.

But the club feels that, with Tomkins coming off the production line, it would be good business to cash in on Ferdinand and clear a path for Tomkins to claim a regular place.

Tomkins made five first-team appearances at the end of last season and is regarded as a future senior England international.

With Matthew Upson, Danny Gabbidon and James Collins also in the squad, the London club is well stocked for centre-backs.

So the club will not stand in Ferdinand's way if he decides to move on.