DAVID MOYES has reiterated Sunderland’s determination to reject offers from West Ham United for talismanic striker Jermain Defoe and denied there has been a £13m bid for the player.

The Hammers are prepared to pay more than £100,000 a week to Defoe and have made a couple of offers in a bid to take him back to the club where it all started.

However Moyes is desperate to keep the 34-year-old at the Stadium of Light in the hope he spearheads the club to Premier League survival – just as he did last season.

“We had an offer and we told them he is not for sale. It has come from the owner. We have never asked for a second bid, or put a price on him at any time,” said Moyes.

“He signed a new contract in the summer. He is here and I do not see a big problem with him, he is really important to us. Very little said from Sunderland, the talking has come from other people, not from here.”

Defoe is not expected to start against Burnley in the FA Cup on Saturday given how important he is to the relegation fight.

And Moyes - who could have Jason Denayer available again tomorrow - feels his 11-goal top scorer is happy on Wearside, where he could become a club legend by staying.

The Sunderland boss said: “I’m not worried. Jermain is very much liked here and is enjoying a purple patch in his career. Hopefully he is enjoying it and is steady with that.”

He added: “Hopefully (Defoe will become a legend at Sunderland), if he carries on scoring at the rate he is, he will be right up there (with Quinn, Phillips etc). I’m sure he wants to get up there among that group.”