Clubs are put on alert and keen with Jermain Defoe set to quit Scottish Premiership’s soon to be champions Rangers according to reports.
The former English Premier League player is expected to leave Rangers at the end of the season but does not want to call time on his glittering playing career, Football Insider have revealed.
The much loved 38 year old striker enters the last four months of his deal and there is a chance for him to hold pre-contract talks with overseas or cross-border clubs, including in England with many teams no doubt set to pounce for the veteran.
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Sources from Ibrox have said to Football Insider that Defoe would have to take a major pay cut to stay at Rangers, where he is one of the top earners on more than £30,000-a-week.
He is only likely to stay in Glasgow if he is offered a part-coaching role that could provide him with the first step into management. Would Steven Gerrard be willing to take him in? Does Defoe want to continue playing especially if teams want him?
Defoe has falling down the pecking order at Rangers this season and is fourth-choice striker behind Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten.
He has made 12 appearances and had only 470 minutes of first-team action for the 2020/21 campaign.
That came about because of Roofe picking up a calf injury, leading to more appearances for Defoe in the final months of what has been a outstanding season from Rangers.
Defoe played 23 minutes as a substitute in last weekend’s 4-1 win against Dundee United, though questions remain over when will be his last game in a Gers shirt.
His former England teammate Steven Gerrard is said to high respect Jermain and has played an important role in the dressing room as well as in improving up the standards in training whilst also mentoring youngsters.
The 39 year old has previously stated that he want to continue playing until at least 40 years of age, which he will be come October.
If that’s the came, could he be axed come the season’s end and move to potentially his final club of his career?
Talking of his career, let’s take a look at how he has got on…
JERMAIN DEFOE’S CAREER:
Youth career
Senrab
1997–1999 – Charlton Athletic
1999 – West Ham United
Senior career
1999–2004 – West Ham United – 93 games (29 goals)
2000–2001 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) – 29 (18 goals)
2004–2008 – Tottenham Hotspur – 139 games (43 goals)
2008 → Portsmouth (loan) – 1 game (1 goal)
2008–2009 – Portsmouth – 30 games (14 goals)
2009–2014 – Tottenham Hotspur – 135 games (47 goals)
2014 – Toronto FC – 19 games (11 goals)
2014 → Tottenham Hotspur (loan) – 2 games (1 goal)
2015–2017 – Sunderland – 87 games (34 goals)
2017–2020 – AFC Bournemouth – 28 games (4 goals)
2019–2020 → Rangers (loan) – 37 games (21 goals)
2020– Rangers – 9 games (2 goals)
National team
England U16 – 8 games (0 goals)
2000–2001 – England U18 – 7 games (0 goals)
2001–2003 – England U21 – 23 games (7 goals)
2004–2017 – England – 57 games (20 goals)
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Fans reacted as clubs are alerted and no doubt keen with Jermain Defoe to quit Rangers…
@StuartWelsh4: he has been brilliant for our club both is playing terms and in stature. He will know himself it is time to move on to other things. It will also free up a considerable amount of money. I still think we will go for John Lundstram in the summer
@LiamTHFC98_: If he wants to retire then we should definitely bring back the legend as a coach!! 😍
@lewygsafc: Defoe is apparently leaving Rangers when his contract ends. Would take him back in a heartbeat if he wants to come back. I think he would if we get Championship football. #SAFC
@KrisBoydLoyal: If it’s true about Jermaine Defoe I’d be gutted. Thought he would move into coaching here but can’t fault him if he wants to carry on playing. Keeps himself in shape, can tell how professional and how much of gentleman he is. Probably the best finisher at the club too.
@ForeverAYellow: Would love to see Defoe at my club, though can’t see it happening, if anything, would love to see him back at someone like Spurs (coach), Portsmouth or Sunderland etc, just would be a nice way to finish his career off imo
@Rangers_FC_1872: How could you not like Jermaine Defoe? One of the best pros ever and one hell of a good guy. If he is to leave at the end of the season to get another season in elsewhere I just hope one day he is back at our club in some sort of coaching / managerial roles 🔴⚪🔵
@ExArgyll: Would be great to see him stay as part of the coaching staff. Proper role model for the youngsters coming through.
@gazzabuck1972: Coaching staff would be ideal
@cassidyai2: Here’s an interesting one. Defoe might be leaving Rangers. Considering our history with him, would you take him back at Charlton? He’s a proper finisher (obvs no chance we would but interested to know how people feel about him) #cafc
@kerrbear1988: Time for him to leave with a league title
@54timeskings72: Not unless it’s a coaching role. His wages should be freed up for someone who will be pushing for a start. I would say he’s possibly 4th choice striker and will be one of our highest earners. They money could be better spent elsewhere
@RobertD49564630: Been a great inspiration to the younger generation at Ibrox wish you all the best
my bestie defoe is leaving me 😢 pic.twitter.com/LPomX2OVWC
— neve⁹ (@baekjuuI) February 25, 2021
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