RUMOUR - Jermaine Defoe

[Ian Royal]

Following the 'Dear Prudence' era of Madejski, I think a lot of Reading fans genuinely feel like sh*tting themselves with fear whenever the thought of us spunking massive dosh comes along. It's kind of a footballing Stockholm Syndrome, perhaps.

I'd have happily seen us spend whatever Defoe would cost on Gylfi.

[southbank1871]

You can only sign players that want to join the club though Ian.

[Ian Royal]

Following the 'Dear Prudence' era of Madejski, I think a lot of Reading fans genuinely feel like sh*tting themselves with fear whenever the thought of us spunking massive dosh comes along. It's kind of a footballing Stockholm Syndrome, perhaps.

I'd have happily seen us spend whatever Defoe would cost on Gylfi.

I just don't like him. Obviously his quality is considerably above our level, but I think he's over-rated and one of Redknapp's brown envelope mercenaries. He's never really impressed me for the level of club / football he's played at.

It's not particularly rational. I just think he's a dick and would rather not have him at the club.

//

I know SB, just pointing out that as one of those not particularly pleased by this possibility, floyd's Prudence Stockholm Syndrome is not applicable to me.


Arse, that was supposed to be an edit.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Following the 'Dear Prudence' era of Madejski, I think a lot of Reading fans genuinely feel like sh*tting themselves with fear whenever the thought of us spunking massive dosh comes along. It's kind of a footballing Stockholm Syndrome, perhaps.

This. And it's not just spunking massive dosh on transfers - after all, we've only actually paid cash for a 17 year from Ireland - it's the thought of paying more than 5k/week in wages and a Penta sponsored car.

[LanercostRoyal]

This one isn't going to happen! Although, very happy to be proved wrong!

[fedders1871]

when mcdermott got asked about defoe... he said 'no' you'd think he would have said why etc. than just know i think something could well happen..

[themadstad]

This is just a rumour, unrealistic too.

• Brian said 'no' when asked
• Brian also recently mentioned 2-3 more in. I'd expect LB, CB and a RB. LB since arrived.
• Defoe's wages would be high. The club has said it will not change it's ethos. Yes, we will pay that bit more than before but not to this level.
• Transfer fee would be large and we only offer 1 year deals to players at age of 30 or over, so why would we pay a record breaking fee also considering his age?
• AVB doesn't want him to go
• Spurs haven't got sufficient back up

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

The England striker is a player Reading would like but manager Brian McDermott is being realistic about his chances of signing him.
Tottenham are not blessed with strikers at this moment as Emmanuel Adebayor's future is being ironed out and any deal is likely to be done later in the window.
Defoe is 29 and has made it clear he wants to play and is set for a chat with manager Andre Villas-Boas about where he fits in with his plans.
Should Defoe leave it is understood his preference would be to stay in the London area and that would give Reading a chance but other more established Premier League sides may be able to make better offers.

[Pepe the Horseman]

• Transfer fee would be large and we only offer 1 year deals to players at age of 30 or over, so why would we pay a record breaking fee also considering his age?

He's a year older than Pogrebnyak who we've just given a four year contract to on club record wages.

[themadstad]

• Transfer fee would be large and we only offer 1 year deals to players at age of 30 or over, so why would we pay a record breaking fee also considering his age?

He's a year older than Pogrebnyak who we've just given a four year contract to on club record wages.

Yes, he is a year older.

Yes, he is on a 4 year deal but did we pay a record breaking fee for him? Don't recall it. So chances are we can sell and gain on that. Defoe, very much less likely with his age. I mentioned we'd pay more than before but he'd be on a lot more and then there's the fee. Much more involved in terms of cost.

[TheLawnMowerMan]

I just don't like him. Obviously his quality is considerably above our level, but I think he's over-rated and one of Redknapp's brown envelope mercenaries. He's never really impressed me for the level of club / football he's played at.

+1

[Kingsley Junior]

It has made it in to the BBC transfer gossip page for Thursday with a link to a Metro story - only mentioning it cos we rarely seem to make it on to the page so was quite nice to see, even if it is likely b0ll0cks.

[Big Ern]

Saw the Metro lInk as well and they are quoting 5M. Think that would be a fair price, although still think wages would scupper any potential deal. If spurs look like they will sell, I think we would also face very stiff competition for his signature as other clubs would surly get involved.

Would love to see him at the club, but maybe a signing like this is a couple of seasons too early for the club to be able to pull off.

[anR]

It has made it in to the BBC transfer gossip page for Thursday with a link to a Metro story - only mentioning it cos we rarely seem to make it on to the page so was quite nice to see, even if it is likely b0ll0cks.

Was it the Tottenham link that got him in? They only talk about London clubs in that paper. We're light years away from London, see?

[Hoop Blah]

If we can afford to sign Defoe and he would actually want to come here, why the hell wouldn't we buy him? I can't believe there are genuinely people who don't think our striking options would be improved with this signing.

Absolutely this. It's amazing that some people on here have suggested that getting in one of the Premier Leagues most consistent and proven goalscorers wouldn't improve the quality of our forwards.

I'd have thought someone like Liverpool, Villa, Everton, Sunderland or Newcastle would make a move for him if he leaves Spurs though. It'll be a bit of a drop for him to end up at a Fulham, Reading, Wigan or QPR but you never know these days.

[Royal Tezza]

"Brian McDermott hopes that Jermain Defoe has become so fed up he will agree to a move to Reading" - Guardian Transfer Rumour page. Not sure what the original source was

[RepressedRoyal]

It has made it in to the BBC transfer gossip page for Thursday with a link to a Metro story - only mentioning it cos we rarely seem to make it on to the page so was quite nice to see, even if it is likely b0ll0cks.

Was it the Tottenham link that got him in? They only talk about London clubs in that paper. We're light years away from London, see?

http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/9 ... z20LwBJgQH

At least we got a positive mention, not that there is anything in story/rumour we didn't already know. The one thing I do like about Defoe is that he obviously would rather play somewhere else than sit on the bench at Spurs picking up big wages. I don't think he is the out and out money grabber that many people like to think he is and he could well be 20 goal relegation avoidance material for a team like us.

I still don't think he will join though.

[Seal]

I'm also not sure where this "he's a d1ck, I don't like him" stuff comes from. I thought he always came across as relatively decent for a footballer. He's quite articulate, doesn't drink, close to his family, religious, and very focused on his football. Yes he can come across as a bit arrogant, but show me a decent centre forward who isn't.

[Norfolk Royal]

Doesn't it come from a recent story about his relationship with a woman who was a bit on the chubby side?

Let's face it, if that were the sticking point on whether a man were worthy or not, this board would be virtually empty of posters.

[Jano]

Most of the arrogant rumours come from him handing in a transfer request the day after West Ham were relegated. Not sure anyone here would blame him for that though!