Leroy Rosenior has revealed how he spent the afternoon with Jermain Defoe at the Premier League offices and believes he would be a perfect fit for the Hammers at this stage of the season.
He cannot see a reason for Sunderland allowing him to leave but admits: “When these things start they are sometimes impossible to stop.
“Once the agents become involved anything can happen and sometimes have a habit of wanting to get away from the north east for London particularly if that’s home!”
Leroy explained that a possible move was never discussed by himself and the player but admitted that if the Hammers could make it happen it would be a great short term move for the club.
He said: “In the summer they will be thinking longer term but at the moment a deal until the end of the season and another year looks a sound idea.
“I got on well with Jermain very well. He was with us at the Premier League offices for the afternoon and he’s a very bright and affable bloke – he’s be great for the dressing room at the London Stadium.
“He’s one of the most natural goalscorers in the British game and would be a huge asset for the club. Ok whatever the Irons would pay becomes dead money but it would be worth it if they can make it happen.”
Leroy Rosenior is ClaretandHugh’s top pundit and chief analyst for the Premier League
Seems like we are getting desperate to sign anybody . Defoe walked out on West Ham for pastures new ; just why is a question for those who supposedly know . He let us down when we needed him most , like Ince & Lampard .
The arguement surely should be , do we really need him to return to what might be a hostile reception . Does he , need it ?.
Well obviously yes ; Sunderland are in no mans land whilst West Ham look like salvaging Thier season .
He walked out on West Ham , so what is to stop him walking out on Sunderland apart from the contract details .
I still hold the view that we should wait untill the summer to make signings that would have an impact . Injured players are making a come back and we are starting to look a bit more threatening . Depends a lot on how Bilic utilizes the squad . His future is still not secure .
Two games where we rode our luck ( two penalties) and one game where the American manager was clueless gave us 9 points .
We need a Win against Leicester City to cement 2016 but , Leicester also need a win to avoid slipping into oblivion .
To cut a long story short ; I would welcome Defoe home . The perfect cutting edge for the axe and hammer of Carroll and Antonio .
Great piece Leroy,i am totally on the same page as you.
As for fans being hostile well a few goals will soon having them singing his name.
It is the fickle nature of a football fan in the main.It reminds me of Chelski fans last season with Costa,booed as one of the rats on the ship & now they never stop singing his name..
So Defoe may have been misguided or made a silly decision as a kid..show me a man or woman who never has made a bad decision in life & i will come clean their halo until it is gleaming..
I am with you on this also Leroy, Defoe was actually worse than Ince and Lampard for the record but he was very young and it was a different situation to both Ince and Lampard the whole Lampard thing I don’t even understand now we sold the guy for £11m and at that time our own fans were throwing mars bars at him so why should he be included Kevin ? with Defoe the club were going to try and force him to stay if my memory doesn’t mistake me (which is possible) that doesn’t in any way excuse his behaviour in getting himself deliberately sent off but if he wants to make amends and we need a striker that will guarantee goals I am more than prepared to forgive and forget in truth I forgave him an Ince a long time ago and I never held any hostility towards Lampard but it did p me off the number of times he would score against us…