Jermain Defoe is believed to have passed a medical at Sunderland ahead of his return to the Premier League.
The former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker was on Wearside this afternoon and is now expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract.
Black Cats forward Jozy Altidore will reportedly return to the MLS and join Toronto FC in a straight swap deal.
Should Defoe be registered before 12pm on Friday, he will be eligible to face Spurs, with whom he has been training in recent weeks to maintain match fitness, at his one-time White Hart Lane stomping ground this weekend.
The 32-year-old has scored 124 Premier League goals across spells at West Ham United, Portsmouth and two at Tottenham.
