Jermain Defoe could have the choice of two of his former clubs this summer.
England’s Jermain Defoe during training
According to The Sun, Bournemouth are lining up a summer bid to re-sign Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, battling West Ham United for his signature.
The Cherries endured a dismal start to 2017, especially given that main striker Callum Wilson suffered a season-ending injury, and a second major injury in as many seasons.
Joshua King and Benik Afobe have stepped up, but manager Eddie Howe may want to bring a more proven Premier League goalscorer – and he appears to have set his sights on one.
The Sun claim that Bournemouth are keen to land Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe this summer, with the striker allegedly able to walk away for free if the Black Cats suffer relegation to the Championship.
Defoe, 34, has hit 14 goals in just 28 appearances for Sunderland, and continues to show that he’s a top Premier League striker despite his advancing years, having earned a recall to the England squad.
Should Sunderland go down, Defoe won’t be short of suitors, and he should have fond memories of Bournemouth having spent a loan spell with the club during the 2000-2001 season, scoring 19 goals in 31 games.
Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring for West Ham
Whilst Bournemouth would love to have Defoe back, the club they took him on loan from more than 15 years ago are also keen, as West Ham United are again interested in the striker having failed to re-sign him in January.
Defoe made his name with West Ham, scoring 41 goals in 105 games to earn a move to London rivals Tottenham in 2004, and Ian Wright claimed to The Sun earlier this week that Defoe wants to re-join the club in order to ‘right the wrongs’ of his controversial exit.
That desire to put things right in East London means that Bournemouth may struggle to beat the Hammers to Defoe’s signature this summer, though offers from China are set to fall on deaf ears as Defoe looks to keep his England place.
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