Jermain Defoe tipped to join QPR and reunite with Harry Redknapp

QPR (odds on at 4/5 with Coral to stay up) are apparently close to securing a deal for England frontman Jermain Defoe to return to the Premier League in the winter transfer window. The mooted move would see the apparently unsettled Toronto attacker link up with Hoops coach Harry Redknapp for the fourth time in his career.

With rumoured competition from a host of top-flight clubs, Redknapp’s relationship with dangerman Defoe seems to have seen relegation-threatened QPR steal ahead in the battle for his services.

The under-pressure QPR coach gave the Three Lions forward his debut at former club West Ham United back in 1999, when the dynamic duo were both at Upton Park. Wily Redknapp clearly rated the 55-capped striker, after signing Defoe twice since they first met in east London.

Experienced Defoe, currently plying his trade in the MLS, also played under his potential Loftus Road boss during successful stints at Tottenham and Portsmouth.

With the newly-promoted Hoops having suffered a poor start to the season, Redknapp is looking to once again bolster his attack.

QPR were unable to properly replace star striker Loic Remy, who moved to west London rivals Chelsea in summer, but Defoe, who has scored 11 times in 16 league games for Toronto, could return and make the difference.

Top Hoops hitman Charlie Austin has been in fine form of late, netting three in his last two games, and Chile forward Eduardo Vargas is also showing promise, but QPR (4/1 to finish bottom of the Premier League) could still do with further firepower to escape the drop zone.

Defoe could now be in a position to pay back the faith Redknapp showed in him all those years ago, with the 32-year-old rumoured to finally be close to signing a three-year contract.

The current Toronto star had apparently previously been on the verge of making a summer switch, before the deal fell through.