West Ham tried and failed with multiple bids exceeding £10m for Jermain Defoe during the January transfer window but there was always an acknowledgement that they would try again at the end of the season.
Now Sunderland’s relegation to the Championship has been confirmed, Defoe is free to leave the Black Cats for nothing when the transfer window opens up due to a clause in his contract.
The Hammers are keen to re-sign the striker they had on their books for four-and-a-half-years nearly two decades ago, but fellow Premier League side Bournemouth are also considering a move for Defoe, according to Sky Sports.
Defoe joined West Ham as a 16-year-old from Charlton in July 1999 and enjoyed a terrific loan spell with Bournemouth where he scored 18 goals in 28 matches in the 2000/01 season before returning to Upton Park to make his mark on the Hammers’ first-team.
The 34-year-old netted 41 goals for West Ham during his time at the before completing a £9m move to Tottenham in February 2004 which left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Hammers fans out there.
Over the last two seasons, Defoe has scored 29 Premier League goals for Sunderland in their fight against relegation, including 14 this season, but his efforts weren’t enough this time as their relegation was confirmed last time out.
West Ham need to add depth in attack and Defoe on a short-term deal would give the Hammers some instant relief in attack and also a reliable goalscorer, something they’ve lacked in recent years.
