Rangers explore signing PL striker permanently ahead of January - Ibrox Sources
Rangers are keen to explore a permanent deal for Jermaine Defoe ahead of the January window, Football Insider has learned.
The veteran striker, 37, is just over halfway through an 18-month loan from Bournemouth that runs until the end of the season.
Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that the club want to extend Defoe's stay behind next summer and hand him a longer term deal.
Eddie Howe's side can trigger a recall clause in Defoe's loan in the winter window and take him back to the Vitality Stadium.
Rangers might not need to pay Bournemouth a fee for the forward in January as they may be keen to get off a high earner off their wage bill.
The 57-times England international has revealed he is keen to finish his glittering career at Ibrox as he looks to add to the single League Cup in his trophy cabinet.
Defoe has made a big impact since his move to Glasgow even though he has had to play second fiddle to main man Alfredo Morelos.
The Englishman tops the SPL scoring charts alongside Odsonne Edouard with 10 strikes this season, averaging a goal every 56 minutes.
In all competitions he has netted 13 times from 20 matches and his overall record for the club is 21 goals from 40 matches.
Defoe joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2017 on a free transfer after his goals were not enough to prevent Sunderland's relegation from the Premier League.