West Ham to lodge second bid for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe

Posted Thursday, January 05, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

WEST HAM are preparing an improved offer for Jermain Defoe despite being told he is not for sale.

The Hammers had a £6m bid for the 11-goal striker rejected by struggling Sunderland this week.

But they believe he wants to rejoin the club he left in 2004 and want their rivals to name their price for the 34-year-old.

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic is desperate to add firepower to his squad and has been searching for a striker for months.

But ambitious attempts to lure Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Juventus star Mario Mandzukic have come to nothing.

West Ham to lodge second bid for Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe made his name as a youngster at West Ham

So the Hammers have turned their attention to other targets, with former England striker Defoe now top of their list.

Defoe has 18 months left on his current £55,000-a-week deal, which has a release clause should Sunderland go down.

Boss David Moyes recently described him as “priceless” so West Ham know it won’t be easy to sign him.

That has not put them off - but the Hammers have contingency plans in place should the Black Cats stand firm.

They are also looking at Southampton striker Shane Long, and remain interested in Paris St-Germain misfit Jese Rodriguez.

Bilic needs a forward because Diafra Sakho is injured and record signing Andre Ayew is off on Africa Cup of Nations duty.

Both Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri are also cutting short their loan spells, leaving the Hammers short of options up front.

Ashley Fletcher will be allowed to leave the London Stadium on loan once West Ham sign a striker, with Leeds among the interested parties.

Sunday May 19 2024

Sunday May 19 2024

Saturday May 18 2024