Bournemouth are considering an ambitious approach to Sunderland for Jermain Defoe, as they seek to bolster their firepower for their first season in the top-flight.
The 32-year-old only moved to Sunderland last January after an ill-fated spell at Toronto FC and he is under contract until 2018. The north-east club, who have made a worrying start to the new season, would be loth to lose him.
Bournemouth, though, are aware of reports that Defoe has not settled in the area and the manager, Eddie Howe, has added him to his list of targets, which also includes Glenn Murray and Dwight Gayle – both of Crystal Palace.
Howe’s team have been on the wrong end of 1-0 scorelines against Aston Villa and Liverpool, and the manager knows that Defoe would provide goals and knowhow.
Defoe has previous at Bournemouth, having enjoyed a prolific loan spell there at the beginning of his career. He was 18 when he moved on loan from West Ham United in 2000-01 and scored 18 goals in 27 starts in the then Division Two – English football’s third tier.
