Defoe prepares for Tottenham parade
Jermain Defoe will enjoy an emotional reunion with Tottenham's fans tonight after the final touches were put to his £15m transfer from Portsmouth this afternoon.
Spurs have confirmed the England striker will be paraded at White Hart Lane ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Burnley.
With just a medical to be completed by the player after a fee and terms were agreed this morning, it seems certain Defoe will return to his former club - where supporters had continued to chant his name following last January's controversial sale to Pompey.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie were in talks over the weekend to negotiate a deal, and the 26-year-old has agreed terms on what is thought to be a five-year contract.
"Personal terms have been agreed and the striker will undergo a medical," read a statement from Spurs this morning.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp bought Defoe for Pompey in the 2008 January window and his return had been suggested since the change of manager at White Hart Lane two months ago.
Tottenham fans continued to sing his name while Defoe went on a run of eight goals in his first seven Pompey games. He has added nine goals in this campaign.
"I wouldn't have sold him if I was manager at Portsmouth and Tottenham came back in," Redknapp admitted. "I'd be keeping him."
Redknapp has prioritised a striker and a left-sided midfielder in the current window, with Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing also the subject of a bid from Spurs.
Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah is on trial at Tottenham this week and could sign until the end of the season.
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