Sunderland are understandably not willing to let their prize asset leave on the cheap.
A report in the Daily Mail has claimed that Sunderland would only consider the possibility of selling Jermain Defoe if they receive a bid worth at least £15 million.
West Ham United have seemingly made their former striker one of their main targets for the January transfer window as the Mail reports that they have already had a £5 million offer turned down, and are now preparing an improved £7 million bid for the 34-year-old.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe
However, it appears that they will need to offer more than double what they are potentially planning for a second bid as the Mail suggests that Sunderland want a hefty fee before they even begin to consider letting Defoe leave the Stadium of Light.
It is understandable that the Black Cats would want such a large amount before even contemplating giving a deal the green light. The former England star has been exceptional since joining the club, scoring 11 in 20 Premier League games this term to go along with the 15 in 33 he managed last season.
That form played a huge part in Sunderland staying up last year and has been a key reason why they still stand a chance of survival during this campaign.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Despite his age however, it would also arguably be understandable if the Hammers ultimately decided to make the kind of bid that gets the Sunderland hierarchy talking.
Defoe does not seem to play like someone who is reaching the end of his career and beginning to wind down, so it could be argued that he has the potential to continue playing at the highest level for a few more years.
And if he replicated the strike-rate he has achieved with Sunderland if he rejoined the Irons, then his signing would undoubtedly be reflected upon as a brilliant piece of business.
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