Hammers could go back in for Defoe if he requests to leave

West Ham United will continue their attempts to re-sign Jermain Defoe but want him to hand in a transfer request at Sunderland.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Defoe is still a prime target for the Hammers, despite their pursuit of Brentford’s Scott Hogan.

The deal to bring Hogan to the London Stadium looks to be edging closer after the clubs went back and forth trying to agree on a fee, with Hogan’s former side, Rochdale due 30% of any sell-on fee.

West Ham failed in their first attempt to sign Defoe before they turned their attention to Hogan.

Defoe spent part of his youth career with the Hammers and enjoyed a five-year spell with the club from 1999-2004, scoring 41 goals.

The report suggests he is still very much on the Hammers’ radar after his goalscoring form for Sunderland since his arrival back in the Premier League has shown he can still perform at the age of 34.