SLAVEN BILIC has cranked up the pressure on Sunderland by describing Jermain Defoe as an “excellent player” who “guarantees goals”.

The West Ham United boss has seen two bids for Defoe turned down this week, with the most recent seeing the Sunderland hierarchy reject an offer of £6m for the 34-year-old.

That has not deterred the Hammers, who have indicated they are willing to pay whatever it takes to prise Defoe from the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss David Moyes remains adamant he does not want to lose his side’s leading goalscorer this month, but speaking ahead of West Ham’s FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester City, Bilic has spelled out his admiration for his club’s leading January transfer target.

Bilic said: “He has the things that are the most important in a football games - that’s goals. He scored them last season, maybe or probably the main reason they stayed up, and then he continues to do the same this season, scoring again. A couple in the last game.

"In every game he is having chances and most of the chances he is converting them into goals. He is an excellent player of course.”

West Ham’s determination to land Defoe reflects the lack of attacking options within Bilic’s current squad, with Italian flop Simone Zaza having been cast into the wilderness.

Zaza is currently on loan at West Ham from Juventus, but he will not play again for the Hammers as Bilic does not want to trigger a clause that would result in a £20m permanent deal.

Bilic said: “I can say that his story with West Ham is finished. He is still our player until the moment he goes somewhere but mainly because of the situation with his contract, that’s it with West Ham.”