LUCAS Neill is has held talks with Sunderland over a move to Wearside. (Daily Mail)Neill is a free agent after his contract at West Ham expired at the end of last season although Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen for the Australia captain to sign a new deal.

LUCAS Neill is has held talks with Sunderland over a move to Wearside. (Daily Mail)

Neill is a free agent after his contract at West Ham expired at the end of last season although Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen for the Australia captain to sign a new deal.

The no-nonsense right-back - who reportedly rejected a move to Liverpool in 2007 in favour of huge wages at Upton park - rejected reduced terms to re-sign for the Hammers this summer.

The 31-year-old defender has been linked with Blackburn, Manchester City and Galatasaray, but is understood to have been at Sunderland's hotel in Peterborough ahead of their pre-season friendly with the freshly-promoted Championship outfit on Tuesday.

“We've had a little conversation to see where Lucas is at,” revealed Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

“He's another player who is experienced, he's played in the Premier League and he's on a free transfer, so that's the attraction. We'll see where he is, where his mind is at and go from there.”