He signs it off after recruitment meet. He did sign it off and we made him 2 offers. The final one was on Tuesday/Wednesday. So LJ did want Defoe in some capacity however, the devil will be in the detail.
Oh I think that’s right. I thought that from his interview too. Just mean that Defoe may want to be closer to the capital or may want something we’re not willing to offer. Johnson will no doubt get it in the neck from some if it doesn’t happen but, from a romantic perspective, I love the idea. From a football perspective, I have my reservations too as he’s 39. Guess we’ll find out in the coming days.
He’s put massive pressure on himself in that case. Tomorrow’s game needs to be a win or I can see it being a bit sour.
If its him & he doesnt sign off, we dont get other quality options in hes put himself under massive pressure, although wmaybe gone if we dont go up...this would without doubt would be nail in coffin
I just hope this doesn't become another Borini. Love Defoe but surely need to be search for another forward as well.
I just wonder what sort of reaction Johnson gets tomorrow if things start to go wrong . Plenty fans have already decided the reason defoe Is not coming is down to him
Lets be clear though guys - there's a difference between LJ not wanting him, and LJ not wanting him on the terms / agreement in discussion. For all we know JD is asking for a 2.5 year deal. He's asking to start every game. etc etc I'm not going to post my rant from last night again . I'd love Defoe here. But only if it fits within the construct we have established. If we are willing to break that for Defoe, where does it end? Stick to the plan. If Defoe fits into that - awesome. If not - move on.
Serious but incredibly hypothetical question. If we could guarantee to sign another Ross Stewart this window. Somebody who can come in cheap and score plenty of goals in this league and look ready for the Championship next season or beyond. And if not, be able to sell for £5-7m+? Would you rather sign another Ross Stewart or Jermain Defoe right now? Now clearly we can't guarantee another Ross Stewart. But this recruitment team's record has been pretty good despite all their criticism. If we could near enough guarantee it, wouldn't it be better to sign the player that could score 10 goals for rest of this season and then 30 next, rather than break our structures and plans to sign Defoe? Who may score a couple more this season but then tail off. Chasing short term gain isn't right. Breaking everything we've built to get 4 months out of Defoe and gambled all on promotion, has its merits, but not enough for me. I want Defoe. But I want us to do everything on our terms and change that for nobody.
Whoever comes in has 18 games left this season to make a difference. That's all. Is giving Defoe an 18 month+ contract worth it to bring him in for 18 games? I'm saying this as somebody who really wants Defoe to join. Just not at all costs. If he was willing to do a contract to end of season I'd be all over him. I don't think he is
I know I'm spamming the board a bit this morning so I'll go to work in a minute. But one more thing to add is that I think a lot of the anger towards this is actually around the fact that Defoe is likely to join another League 1 club, rather than us. If he was going to Championship, or abroad, I think most wouldn't care. But people are seeing him (probably) join another League 1 club and are therefore angry that we weren't willing to match the deal or blow it out of the water etc. If Oxford sign him, no doubt they will say they "beat sunderland to the signature". And that grates and hurts. But it will be true. And that isn't the end of the world. This won't be about money - but if you're a plumber and you quote somebody £500 to do a good job. But some other plumber quotes them £300 - they'll go with them. They'll have "beaten" you in that bid. Doesn't mean you weren't right to stick to your principles.
The first line of that I'll accept, in fact I welcome it, he's the bloke got to coach and get the best out of him. The second is your opinion, unless you know differently. My opinion is different to yours. Stalemate.
This would make complete sense from our perspective. I'd be willing to put money now on the offer elsewhere being 18 months with no break clause. And now Defoe has to decide whether he wants 18 months guaranteed elsewhere; or risk needing to find another club in the summer.
