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Newcastle boss Keegan joins Villa in race to land Spurs star Defoe
Last updated at 16:25pm on 17.01.08
Allowed to leave: Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe is at the centre of a £10million transfer battle between Newcastle and Aston Villa.
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The 25-year-old is third-choice striker at Tottenham and has been told by coach Juande Ramos he will be allowed to leave White Hart Lane.
New Toon boss Kevin Keegan has targeted the unsettled forward after being handed a £25m transfer kitty by owner Mike Ashley.
Defoe's arrival would see him form a potentially lethal partnership with fellow England striker Michael Owen.
However, it was reported today that Defoe has already held preliminary talks with Martin O'Neill. The manager was linked with a move for the forward last summer.
A Villa spokesman could “neither confirm or deny” speculation surrounding Defoe's future.
However, a source said: “Jermain has been to talk to Villa. The problem now is negotiating a fee and that may prove to be the sticking point.”
O'Neill is keen to bolster his striking options with Luke Moore refusing a new contract, Marlon Harewood failing to make an impact and lingering doubts over John Carew's fitness.
Reader views (1)
If Defoe were to go then you could only wish him the best of luck. A class striker whom, at any other time, would probably have walked into the Tottenham starting line-up. He has been unfortunate that Robbie Keane has been in amazing form. Defoe is still a great striker and would be a great asset to Aston Villa which will only help them to secure a place in Europe. A problem for Spurs really as it makes a team stronger that is chasing the same European qualifying places as them.
- Guy Engelmann, Worthing, England
