Where next for Defoe?

Sunderland's 2016/2017 season has been filled with gloom and darkness. After being relegated for the first time since 2006, it has been difficult to find any sort of positive light shining out for the supporters to admire. A big proportion of this limited light has been in the form of Jermain Defoe.

The 34 year old could leave for a free in the summer due to a relegation clause in his contract. He is now one of the most wanted footballers on the planet,with clubs acting like vultures in an attempt to get his signature.

While he is unlikely to go to a top 7 team he is, without a shadow of a doubt, good enough to play his trade at a mid table club next campaign and, in my opinion, teams like West Ham, Bournemouth and Stoke should all be looking to bring him in. 

A switch to Bournemouth would see him return to the club where, in 2001, he scored 18 goals in 29 games. Manager Eddie Howe is known for signing English stars, and has been linked relentlessly with the former Portsmouth and Tottenham striker. Their attack is already formidable. Josh King, Callum Wilson and Benik Afobe guarantee you goals, but should Defoe join the Cherries he should be able to dislodge the injury prone Callum Wilson and be part of,what is a very impressive, Bournemouth attack. 

Another sentimental switch would be a return to West Ham. He joined the Hammers from Charlton's youth academy and it was there, under Glenn Roeder, that he truly began to flourish, scoring 14 goals and finishing as West Ham's top scorer. The London club have struggled with a goalscorer this year, from Andy Caroll's injury problems to Jonathan Calleri's disastrous loan spell they have lacked a clear goalscorer. Defoe would be a quick solution to this problem, and could help West Ham push for a European place next year. 

Stoke city should be another club looking to bring Defoe in. Like West Ham, the Potters have struggled to find a consistent goalscorer. Wilfred Bony came and left without making an impact and both Diouf and £12 million man Saido Berahino have struggled to make an impact. This has meant that Hughes has had to bring back the old heads, with Peter Crouch and John Walters both being restored to the team in the back end of the season. Defoe would again be a quick solution to this to problem, making sure Stoke bounce back from what has been a mediocre campaign this year. 

The decision seems to be in Defoe's hands but he will surely make a huge impact at whatever club he goes for.