Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe would be a good signing for Arsenal but not for West Ham United, suggests Paul Merson.
Paul Merson has suggested in The Daily Star that Arsenal should make a move for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe in the January transfer window.
Defoe has been on the books of Sunderland since January 2015 and has a contract with the Black Cats until June 2019, according to Transfermarkt.co.uk.
The striker has been in good form so far this season, scoring 12 goals and creating 12 chances in 21 Premier League matches.
Merson has suggested that Arsenal should make a move for the former West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur man in the January transfer window.
The former Arsenal attacker has also stated that Defoe is too old for London club West Ham.
BBC Sport reported earlier this month that the Hammers had made a £6 million bid for Defoe.
“Jermain Defoe shouldn’t go to West Ham,” Merson wrote in The Daily Star. “But if I was Arsene Wenger I’d buy him for Arsenal.
“I find it strange that West Ham want him. I think he’s a great player but they’re not going forward with him. He’s too old.
“It’s different for Arsenal. Give him an 18-month contract and he can come on in games when they need a goal.
“He’s a natural goalscorer and they don’t really have one of those. He’d get to play Champions League football as well.”
Defoe would be a decent short-term signing for Arsenal, but would the 34-year-old be willing to play the role of a squad player at the Emirates Stadium?
Moreover, would the Arsenal fans be happy if the club signed someone who has previously played for bitter North London rivals Tottenham?
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