Sunderland told to complete Defoe ‘coup’ after ‘massive’ Sky update – pundit
The return of Jermain Defoe to Sunderland would be “massive” for their promotion hopes, according to Alan Hutton.
The former Scotland international, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 39-year-old could make a “real impact” for the Black Cats in a limited role.
According to Sky Sports (19 January), the legendary striker is wanted by Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United after the mutual termination of his Rangers contract.
However, as quoted by the Chronicle (19 January), Black Cats boss Lee Johnson admitted “a lot of things would have to happen” for a potential deal to materialise.
Hutton claimed the arrival of Defoe would make Sunderland’s promotion credentials “even stronger”.
“That would be a real coup, wow,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“Sunderland are doing really well at the moment, but to have someone with that experience and knowledge of the club would be massive.
“He seems like he is hungry to continue playing. He’s a guy who has always looked after himself. Physically, he’s in very good shape.
“He’s not going to play every single minute of every game, but he can be a real impact player coming off the bench – he’s still so sharp.
“To have somebody like that in your ranks when you’re pushing for promotion is only going to make their credentials even stronger.”
Sunderland sit third in League One, just one point adrift of league leaders Wycombe.
Defoe scored 37 goals in 93 games during his last spell at the Stadium of Light – which spanned two and a half years from 2015 to 2017.
The 57-cap Englishman has scored 284 club goals across 23 years in professional football.
In other news, pundit lifts the lid on the latest new arrival at Sunderland.