Defoe contract clause hurts Irons signing efforts

West Ham’s chances of signing Jermain Defoe from Sunderland have dipped dramatically after CandH discovered details of the striker’s contract.

The Hammers would be keen to sign the former striker next month but know there is little chance of grabbing the Black Cats top scorer.

Hopes had risen that a deal could be on after Irons skipper Mark Noble started following the formerIron on Twitter.

And although the club were ready to go to £6 million for the 34 year old Black Cats boss David Moyes made it clear the club would all offers.

Now  ClaretandHugh have discovered there is little chance of Defoe pushing for a move back home because he is in a win win situation.

Sunderland are currently sitting third from bottom, propped up by Swansea and Hull City, but if they are to survive it is likely to be on account of Defoe’s goals. He has scored seven of their 16 this season.

That would make him a hero among the Mackems but if they do drop he has a clause in his deal allowing him to leave on a free at the end of the season anyway despite being under contract otherwise until he is 37!

We were told: “There’s no incentive for Sunderland to sell a player who carries their survival hopes and Jermain’s people have cut a very clever deal.”