Sunderland manager David Moyes has ruled out any possibility of Jermain Defoe leaving the club in January amid interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham.
Defoe, 34, has been in fine touch in 2016 and is arguably Sunderland’s most important player as they look to beat the drop this season.
The Black Cats are heavily reliant on the former England international’s goals and his form in front of goal has not gone unnoticed, with both West Ham and Palace ready to step up their interest when the transfer window opens next month.
However, Moyes has looked to warn away any potential interest but ruling out Defoe’s departure next month, labelling the striker ‘priceless’.
“No, a £6m bid for Jermain would not be even considered,” The Guardian quote Moyes as saying before Sunderland’s Boxing Day defeat to Manchester United. “I don’t think any price would buy Jermain - he’s priceless, his goals are so valuable to us. I wouldn’t even think about any offer. Without Jermain we’d be really struggling.”
In 2016 only Sergio Aguero (27), Harry Kane (21) and Diego Costa (20) have scored more goals in the Premier League than Defoe, who was made captain for their trip to Old Trafford on Monday (19).
For more stats on Jermain Defoe, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
