Sunderland look set to drop into the Championship, as they are sat at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Darren Bent has told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, which was broadcast on TalkSPORT on 26th April, that he expects Jermain Defoe to leave Sunderland at the end of the season.
Sunderland look set to drop out of the Premier League this term, after a disappointing campaign.
The Black Cats are currently 12 points adrift of safety, with just six games remaining this season.
A number of Sunderland players have already been linked with a move away, and Defoe is sure to be in demand.
Sunderland will reportedly have to let Defoe leave on a free transfer, if they do drop out of the top flight.
And Bent believes that the veteran England international will leave the Stadium of Light, to fulfil his dream of playing at the 2018 World Cup.
“He’s done so well for them and if he doesn’t score the goals, they don’t win games,” Bent, who used to play for Sunderland, said.
“He’s got the quality to be in the Premier League and, unfortunately for Sunderland, if they do go down – I do see him leaving.
“I don’t think he’ll want to leave, but he’ll have to if he wants to play at the next World Cup.”
Defoe has netted 14 goals in 32 Premier League appearances for Sunderland so far this season.
The 34-year-old will next be in action later this evening, when Sunderland take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
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