Time for this sidelined Tottenham star to move on?

Jermain Defoe is no stranger to transfer moves. From West Ham to Tottenham, via Bournemouth, and then on to Portsmouth, his has been a career highlighted by high-profile moves. Now, back at Tottenham, things have dried up for one of the Premier League’s most proven and consistent goalscorers. After spending the better part of twelve months watching from the White Hart Lane sidelines under the aegis of Harry Redknapp, Defoe now lurks in a shadow of uncertainty with Andre Villas-Boas at the helm. Therefore, the question becomes ever more pertinent by the day: what will Jermain Defoe do?

Tottenham remains a possibility. Despite making just eleven starts for Spurs last season, Defoe can still grasp at the fact that management has changed. Andre Villas-Boas, recently enpowered with the reigns at White Hart Lane, is synonymous with an attractive brand of attacking football, that appears to be conducive with Defoe’s game of alertness and opportunity. Furthermore, with the departure of Giovani Dos Santos, and the complications over a proposed deal for Emmanuel Adebayor, Defoe remains the only established striker currently on the Spurs payroll, which may lead to a longer stay in North London.

Realistically, however, Defoe is seeking a move. It is only natural for a player of such proven and perpetual quality to want regular inclusion in the starting lineup. Towards the end of last season, Defoe became increasingly frustrated with his lack of involvement under Redknapp; a lack of consideration that appears to have initially sewn the seed of doubt in the players head.

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There would be a whole host of clubs interested in a player of Defoe’s calibre. As of late, newly-promoted Reading, feeling confident following the takeover of Anton Zingarevich, have been linked with a move for Defoe. Royals manager Brian McDermott has a propensity to work with poachers of a similar skillset to that of Defoe, with Adam Le Fondre and Shane Long most forthright examples. Thus, Defoe would be an appealing prospect. Reports of a £5million bid have been downplayed by the club, but it would remain unsurprising if Defoe indeed wound up a Royal.

A further club of blue and white hoops could also become a player in the Defoe sweepstakes. Queens Park Rangers, among the most active of Premier League clubs this summer, could well be tempted into a move for Defoe. Owing to the eagerness of QPR to purchase high-profile players, and looking towards the example of Robert Green, wages would not be an issue at Loftus Road. Defoe may well prove to be the decisive piece of the jigsaw in Mark Hughes’ project.

Other clubs that could show an outside interest in Defoe include Aston Villa, who made an unsuccessful attempt to lure him to the Midlands during the January transfer window. Furthermore, Liverpool would appear to be in a position of interest in Defoe, as he suites Brendan Rodgers style well, and has been persistently linked with the club throughout his career.

Whatever Jermain Defoe decides, and whatever kit he pulls on for the new season, it will be, in a career of moves, undoubtedly his most important. At the age of twenty-nine, it is time that a player of such undoubted ability and production finds the right club, where he can become the star and the person on whom the club rely. Jermain Defoe has a lot of thinking to do.

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