Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell is on the verge of joining Gus Poyet’s Sunderland side in the next few hours.

The two clubs are reported to be in “advanced talks” regarding the player and Rodwell has arrived at Sunderland to have his medical.

The 23-year-old product of the Toffees youth academy left Everton for Manchester City in a £12 million move during the summer of 2012.

Rodwell made 85 appearances over five seasons with Everton’s senior squad. But since his transfer, the player has only made 16 appearances for reigning Premier League champions during his two seasons at the Etihad.

The player suffered through injury spells during his time with the club and now has apparently become expendable due to Manchester City’s embarrassment of riches in its midfield.

A fee has been agreed between City and Sunderland with Rodwell expected to sign a five-year contract with the Black Cats.

Rodwell will be the fifth signing of the summer, as Gus Poyet has already added Jordi Gomez, Billy Jones, Patrick van Aanholt and Costel Pantilimon to his squad at the Stadium of Light.