QPR’s hopes of signing striker Defoe boosted, report says

Comments made by Toronto FC president Tim Leiweke on a trip to London have boosted QPR’s hopes of signing Jermain Defoe, The Sun claim.

Rangers tried to bring in the former England striker, 31, before the transfer window closed but were unable to secure his release from the Canadian club ahead of the Major Soccer League play-offs.

They expect to sign Defoe, who played under Harry Redknapp and Tottenham and Portsmouth, when the window reopens in January.

Speaking at the Leaders in Football conference, Leiweke said: “Making the play-offs would be a huge step forward for Toronto. Jermain now gets that and is totally focused on that.

“As to what happens during the next transfer window, we’ve all agreed we’ll put it on hold and talk about that in December.

“I compliment Jermain for being committed to trying to get us to the play-offs and making that the only concern that we have right now.

“Jermain is focused on the remaining four games. There is no deal [for him to leave], no conversation, not even a thought right now.

“Jermain understands the uniqueness of Major League Soccer. We have play-offs.”

Meanwhile, Rangers boss Redknapp’s latest book continues to be serialised in the Daily Mail. In it, he says he almost signed Patrick Vieira and Luis Suarez for Tottenham.

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