Defoe’s former teammate believes the striker would be keen for a return to the Hammers.
Jermain Defoe’s former teammate Jermaine Jenas has told BBC Radio 5 Live that the striker would rather be back at his old club West Ham United than helping Sunderland fight relegation again.
The Hammers are thought to be keen to bring Defoe back to the club in the January transfer window as they look to boost their misfiring attack.
Defoe scored 41 goals in 105 games for the East London side between 2000 and 2004 before leaving the club acrimoniously for their cross-city rivals Tottenham Hotspur after requesting a transfer less than 24 hours after the Irons’ relegation in 2003-04.
The manner of his departure still rankles with many West Ham fans who feel that their former hero abandoned them in their hour of need.
However, the club nevertheless appear to be chasing the 34-year-old in a bid to bring the goals that they need to fire up the table.
Defoe has scored 26 goals in 53 Premier League games for Sunderland over the last 18 months, virtually single-handedly saving the Black Cats from relegation last term with his 15 strikes and having already racked up 11 in 20 matches this term.
He is almost priceless to the Wearside club, but Jenas believes his former Spurs teammate would rather be back at West Ham if given the choice.
Jenas said on 5 Live on Wednesday night: “He’s gone to Sunderland and he’s done so much good work up there, I think he’s already falling into that legend status up in the North East at Sunderland.
“I think all that hard work, leaving right now, would be undone because he would be leaving them in the lurch, but I think somewhere within him as well he has got that urge maybe to put things some wrongs right at West Ham because of the way he left there.
“I think if we’re honest, if you’re looking at the two clubs and who’s progressing more as a club you’d say West Ham, and I’m pretty sure that he’d rather be back in London and trying to be a part of what West Ham are trying to do.”
Jenas words will infuriate and worry Sunderland fans in equal measure. Defoe’s exit, regardless of the fee they may get for him, would be catastrophic for the Black Cats.
Defoe may well have his sights set on a return to his old home, however. Former West Ham hero Tony Cottee believes the former England man would score the goals to ensure he is forgiven at the London Stadium, and and regardless of any ill feeling, Hammers fans would surely welcome him back, given their attacking troubles.
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