Five Premier League destinations for Clint Dempsey in January

Former Fulham and Spurs attacker Clint Dempsey has indicated he could make a temporary return to the Premier League on loan during the MLS close season.

The USA national skipper, 31, has scored 57 English top-flight goals in over 200 appearances for the London clubs. Reports in the tabloids say he wants to maintain his fitness over the winter, and that got Coral’s football experts thinking. Which clubs would suit Dempsey? Here’s what we came up with.

Aston Villa
Owned by fellow American Randy Lerner, the West Midlands outfit are 9/2 chances to finish in the top 10. Dempsey would add versatility to a frontline that has been depleted by injuries lately. Christian Benteke may have returned and Charles N’Zogbia is back in favour, but Libor Kozak remains sidelined by a broken leg.

Crystal Palace
With rumours of a takeover from American businessman Josh Harris rife at Selhurst Park, what better way to mark that proposed change of ownership going through than by luring Dempsey back to London? Palace are 2/1 chances for the drop.

Everton
Landon Donovan chose Goodison Park as a temporary home on a couple of occasions. Dempsey is a similar sort of player to the USA’s record scorer, so why not throw his lot in with the Toffees? Roberto Martinez could do with an extra option in attack, as the legs of Samuel Eto’o are ageing and Dempsey would be an attractive alternative to record signing Romelu Lukaku. Everton are 6/1 shots to finish in the top four.

QPR
Harry Redknapp’s Hoops are in dire straits. They are odds-on 4/6 second-favourites to be relegated this term and desperately short on goals. Dempsey would take some persuading to join a relegation battle, but could help keep QPR up with his undoubted quality.

Stoke City
Mark Hughes is one manager that knows how to get the best out of Dempsey. When the Potters boss was in charge of Fulham, he netted a dozen Premier League goals in 2010/11, and working with him again may be a draw. Stoke are 2/1 chances to finish in the top half.