Agbonlahor: Defoe tipped to quit Rangers after confirmed Ibrox news
Gabby Agbonlahor has predicted Jermain Defoe to leave Rangers after they announced the signing of Fashion Sakala.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward suggested Steven Gerrard will want to keep four strikers to compete in all fronts next season.
Football Insider revealed earlier this year Defoe would have to take a big cut on his current £30,000-a-week wages to stay at Ibrox next season with his current contract set to expire at the end of this month.
Gerrard confirmed last month to Sky Sports the club were in contract talks with the 38-year-old but there was no rush.
Since then, Rangers have announced the pre-contract signing of Sakala from Belgian outfit KV Oostende.
If Defoe stays Gerrard will have five strikers to choose from with Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten also on the books.
Asked if five strikers is too many, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: "That probably ends the debate about Defoe if they’ve brought in a striker. That will see Defoe leave.
“But that’s it. I think they’ll keep the rest.
“They want to compete in the Champions League and get through to the group stages.
“They’re going to want to win the title again which won’t be easy because Celtic will improve so it makes sense to keep four really good strikers.”
Speaking after his signing was confirmed, Sakala told the Rangers website: “I am very much excited to start this exciting journey with Rangers.
“It has been one of my dreams, and I feel like this is a dream come true to join Rangers – one of the greatest clubs in the world.”