Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has confirmed the speculation this week that they were in negotiations with Rangers over an extended loan deal for former England and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe.
Having been linked with a number of clubs as the January transfer window neared, it seems that Rangers have stolen a march on potential other suitors and as previously covered on Vital Rangers, the suggestion is the 36-year-old will make the move to Ibrox on an 18 month loan deal.
Bournemouth would naturally have a recall clause in each subsequent transfer window.
Sky Sports spoke to Howe yesterday and he explained.
“I’m not going to talk you through any details because no deal has been finalised so until that moment happens it would be foolish of me to comment, so let’s wait and see what happens in the next few days. Any deal that does get agreed will be in the player’s best interests and what the player wants to pursue. But as I say no deal has been finalised so let’s see what happens.”
It’s believed that Defoe will undergo a medical this weekend, so maybe an announcement early next week.
According to former player Lee McCulloch, he also told Sky Sports that he felt the capture of Defoe would be a massive ‘game changer’ for Rangers – especially as the expectation is we’ll bring back former star Steven Davis this window.
“It’s a massive statement, it’s a great start to the transfer window for Rangers. Both Old Firm teams are sitting level on points and now it’s basically over to Celtic to see what signings they can make because Jermain Defoe, with over 100 goals in the Premier League, is a fantastic signing for the club.”
It would certainly be a massive boost this season on a number of levels, even if Defoe wouldn’t be expected to feature in every game owing to his age, but Gerrard would know exactly how he’d want to use him to get the best from him.