When Jermain Defoe made the move from Sunderland to AFC Bournemouth in June 2017, it was billed as a bit of a fairytale move for the former England international.
17 years after his loan spell at Dean Court, where he had scored 18 goals, including the famous “ten in a row”.
Between his spells at AFC Bournemouth he had scored 40 goals in just over 100 appearances for West Ham United, before moves to Tottenham Hotspur (twice), scoring 143 times across his two spells, he has also scored 17 times for Portsmouth, 11 times for MLS side Toronto and 37 times for Sunderland.
Defoe had also represented England 57 times, scoring 20 goals.
Defoe was often dynamite either playing alongside a “big man” feeding off of the knockdowns, most notably Steve Fletcher at AFC Bournemouth and Peter Crouch at both Tottenham and Portsmouth.
Or he was well utilised as a lone striker, playing more direct and using his pace.
It was an intriguing move to Dean Court, as neither styles suit the Cherries. Just how would Defoe be used? Unfortunately, it proved to be a question that has still mainly gone unanswered, as Defoe has been a spectator for most of his time since his return.
Now according to footballinsider247.com, Defoe has reportedly had enough of his lack of game time on the south coast of England and has tried to engineer a move away.
The now 36-year-old has made just two substitute appearances for AFC Bournemouth this season, totalling just 13 minutes of football.
Last season, despite it being affected by niggles and injuries, he made 24 appearances. However, there were only 11 starts amongst those appearances and a total of 1,085 minutes meant he averaged 45 minutes per appearance.
He scored 4 goals, which doesn’t sound the greatest of returns, but they were often crucial goals. The first a late winner against Brighton & Hove Albion, securing all three points after four consecutive defeats at the start of the campaign.
Three months later and a brace against Crystal Palace, with the goal of the season to boot, secured an important point away at Selhurst Park.
Another three months later and his fourth and final goal of the season came away to Watford in the 90th minute, securing another vital away point.
Will, that prove to be his last goal for AFC Bournemouth?
According to sources close to footballinsider247 , Defoe himself has contacted West Ham United over a potential January transfer window move.
The report claims…
“Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe has contacted West Ham about a sensational return to the club in the January transfer window”
“…(West Ham are) thought to be on the lookout for another striker in the January market.
“The Hammers are thought to have concerns over the fitness of Marko Arnautovic, Andy Carroll and Javier Hernandez, while Lucas Perez has failed to fire since his summer move from Arsenal.
Your say…
4FCB wrote…
Well, it would be good to recoup Jermain Defoe’s earnings, that’s for sure, but as for flogging him, I doubt any club will pay money for him at his age.
Jermain Defoe has a future career in media and looks quite comfortable in front of the cameras. – Join the conversation, click here.
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