West Ham United’s hopes of re-signing Sunderland star Jermain Defoe look dead in the water.
The Hammers have made no secret of their interest in Defoe, who made his name in the Premier League with the East Londoners as a youngster.
The 34-year-old has been huge success for the Black Cats with a superb record of 30 goals in 68 matches.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
Slaven Bilic has spoken publicly of his admiration for the player and the Hammers have had a £6 million bid for the striker knocked back already during the transfer window, as reported by BBC Sport.
Sunderland insist the player is not for sale but reports have been circulating that Defoe could hand in a transfer request in order to force through a move.
Sunderland’s Victor Anichebe is out for two and a half months
But any hopes Bilic had of luring the former Tottenham Hotspur striker to the London Stadium look dead in the water now after an injury to Defoe’s strike partner Victor Anichebe.
The 28-year-old Nigerian has been rejuvenated by his move to the Stadium of Light on a one-year deal.
But he has now been ruled out for 10 weeks after picking up a knee injury in the defeat to West Bromwich Albion last time out.
It means David Moyes will be even more reliant on Defoe, who has been described as “priceless” by the former Manchester United manager.
It’s not all bad news for Bilic, though, as West Ham are finally expected to complete the signing Brentford striker Scott Hogan this week, as reported by Sky Sports.
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