Jermain Defoe may be joining Ryan Nelsen on his way out of Toronto FC. Shortly after Nelsen's firing was announced on Sunday, reports started to emerge that Defoe was seeking a transfer, with the most prominently mentioned destination being England's Queens Park Rangers.
Jermain Defoe may leave Toronto FC, QPR interested
TFC general manager confirms the club has fielded some offers.
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Although Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko would not confirm any club names, he did say he had fielded some offers.
“We have received an offer and we have discussed it internally,” Bezbatchenko told reporters following Nelsen’s firing. “I think that when you score as many goals as he has and you have the reputation and background that he has it’s not uncommon to receive these offers.”
Defoe was part of a series of high-profile offseason moves by TFC, all engineered by Tim Leiweke, the CEO of Toronto FC's parent company MLSE. TFC committed about $100 million in salary and transfer fees to Defoe and United States midfielder Michael Bradley, while also signing designated player Gilberto. But with Leiweke announcing his departure sometime in the next year and Nelsen already dismissed, Defoe is reportedly interested in going back to England.
Sportsnet has reported that QPR was willing to spend $11 million to bring Defoe back to England, where he scored more than 100 league goals during 11 seasons with Tottenham and Portsmouth. QPR are currently managed by Harry Redknapp, who coached Defoe at both clubs.
Defoe has mostly lived up to expectations with TFC, scoring 11 goals in 16 matches. Lately, though, he's been dealing with a lingering groin injury that has contributed to him missing five of the last eight matches and will likely keep him out for several more weeks. It's unclear if that injury would have any effect on QPR making a bid before the closing of the transfer window on Monday.
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