Transfer news: Andrew Johnson feels Harry Redknapp can tempt Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe to leave the Premier League for QPR and the Championship

Redknapp worked with Defoe at West Ham, Portsmouth and Spurs but Defoe is unlikely to drop down a league in a World Cup year

Jermain Defoe in pre-season action for Tottenham (GETTY IMAGES)

Andrew Johnson is convinced that QPR manager Harry Redknapp can lure Jermain Defoe to the club and believes the former Tottenham boss can persuade him to trade the Premier League for the Championship.

Defoe scored 15 goals for Spurs last season despite being rotated by current manager Andre Villas-Boas with Emanuel Adebayor, but the arrival of Roberto Soldado appears to have consigned the England striker to a place on the bench.

Redknapp has already brought in £4m striker Charlie Austion from Burnley to provide competition with Johnson and Bobby Zamora, but missed out on the signing of Gary Hooper after he chose to head to Norwich instead.

Current striker Loic Remy looks set to join Newcastle on a season-long loan, and it is believed Redknapp is interested in bring the player he signed for Spurs and Portsmouth to Loftus Road, should he be willing to make the unlikely drop down to the Championship in a World Cup year.

But Johnson said on the proposed move: “Why not? He’s worked under Harry before, he’s worked with a lot of the boys before. I worked with him for three or four years at England. He’s a great lad.

“He’s worked with Jermaine Jenas and a few of the old Tottenham boys — there are a lot of people here who could attract him to the club. When I’ve moved, first you look and see who you do and don’t know at clubs. That has an influence on where you choose to go so hopefully Jermain will come.”

Johnson made his return from a long-term knee injury on Saturday with the winning goal against Sheffield Wednesday to give Rangers a winning start to life back in the Championship after their two-year spell in the Premier League.

They also look set to allow midfielder Adel Taarabt leave the club as he is due to have a medical with local rivals Fulham ahead of a season-long loan move.