The Sunderland striker is almost certainly on the move again in the summer, but should think strategically rather than sentimentally, despite reported West Ham and Bournemouth interest.
England’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their first goal
Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe will have a lot of options heading into the summer, but despite interest from former clubs West Ham United and Bournemouth, as reports Sky Sports, the England international should consider moving to Crystal Palace, who declared their interest in him recently, as reports Sky Sports.
A romantic reunion at West Ham would definitely been a hit amongst the Hammers’ fans, with Defoe scoring 41 in 105 in his spell with the club, having graduated from the club’s youth academy in 1999.
A move to Bournemouth would also leave Cherries’ fans very happy, with the 34-year-old learning his trade with the club in a loan spell for the 2000/01 season, scoring 19 in 31 games in all competitions.
However, Defoe has to really think about his next move here, as while sentiment is nice, Palace’s interest is probably better suited to Defoe’s dreams of playing for England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe in action
The current Eagles boss Sam Allardyce worked with Defoe at Sunderland, and got 13 goals in 27 games out of Defoe during his time at the Stadium of Light, with the two playing a huge role in keeping the Black Cats up against all odds.
Given that this was only as recently as last year, Allardyce clearly knows how to get goals out of a Defoe well into his 30s – and if Defoe is still scoring goals, then he will still remain in the international frame.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce celebrates after the match
It also offers the possibility of a partnership with Christian Benteke, which – on paper – has every right to become a truly lethal pairing in the Premier League.
While at Bournemouth he would be the main man and at West Ham he could have Andy Carroll beside him, a move to Palace – under the former boss Defoe played so well for, with a bright team around him, and a stable atmosphere behind the scenes – makes so much more sense than heading back ‘home’ to one of his former clubs.
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