West Ham United and Bournemouth have been linked with Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe.
According to a recent report in The Times, Jermain Defoe wants a £6 million signing-on from Premier League clubs hoping to recruit him. It has also been reported that the Sunderland striker wants £100,000 a week as salary.
The Times has claimed that there is a clause in the 34-year-old striker’s contract at Sunderland which will allow him to leave the Black Cats on a free transfer in the summer as the club have been relegated to the Championship.
West Ham United are reportedly one of the clubs interested in Defoe, but according to Sky Sports, Bournemouth have already opened talks with the former Tottenham Hotspur striker.
A deal is expected to be competed within the next few days, according to Sky Sports, but is there still time for West Ham to make a move for their former player?
It has been clear from the Hammers’ performances and results this season that they need a proven goalscorer in the Premier League – and Defoe is just that.
The former West Ham striker was Sunderland’s best player in the Premier League this season, scoring 15 goals and providing two assists in 37 league appearances.
For Slaven Bilic’s side to push for a top-six or a top-eight finish in the league next season, they need someone like Defoe who can score 15 to 20 goals in the Premier League in a single campaign.
True, Defoe’s (reported) wage-demands are very high, but given that his (reported) signing-on fee is much less than what would have been a transfer fee and his record in the Premier League, it would be wise of West Ham to try to make a late move and snap up the striker.
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