The England Under-21 international is set to undergo medical tests, with manager Roy Keane confident of landing a player who could cost Sunderland around £8million.
Keane: "Anton is up today for a medical and we hope to get that tied up today."
Ferdinand's arrival in the north-east is no surprise to many Toon fans ... but they expected him to wear black and white ... following interest from Newcastle earlier in the summer.
But our St James' Park source claims Kevin Keegan lost interest when the asking price went over £4m, and that was back in June.
The defender has had a rough ride at Upton Park in recent times, losing form, falling out of favour with the fans, and living off his brother's reputation.