Betting: West Ham 6/1 second favourites to sign Jermain Defoe

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Could West Ham United end up bringing Jermain Defoe back to the club this summer?

According to bookmaker Sky Bet, West Ham could perhaps be outside contenders to sign Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe this summer with the Hammers listed as the 6/1 second favourites to land the 35-year-old.

Manuel Pellegrini undoubtedly needs to look to strengthen his goalscoring options this summer after a campaign where Marko Arnautovic was the only player within the squad to reach double figures for Premier League goals.

So could the club look at bringing Defoe back more than 14 years after he moved away? Bookmaker Sky Bet lists Rangers as the 2/1 current favourites to sign the veteran, but the Hammers are not far behind at 6/1. It must be noted that Defoe is 11/10 to leave Bournemouth and only 4/6 to stay at the Vitality Stadium, so perhaps a move may be on the cards.

Defoe’s departure in 2004 left a sour taste in the mouth of many West Ham fans, but he has proved to be one of the most lethal goalscorers in Premier League history so it would be little surprise if there were a number of the Irons faithful not against the idea of Pellegrini targeting him this summer.

The former England international endured a difficult season with the Cherries, but did score 15 league goals in each of his two full seasons at Sunderland and had not previously fallen short of double figures in a full Premier League season since 2011.

He does earn more than £103,000-a-week, according to Spotrac, but perhaps if Bournemouth are willing to consider a low transfer fee this summer, he should be the kind of player that is being pursued by a large number of Premier League clubs.

And there will certainly be some West Ham fans hoping that there is something in the odds tentatively linking the Irons with a potential move for the striker.