England striker Defoe set to sign at Ibrox on 18-month loan deal
ahead of the second half of the campaign.
Gerrard has now identified Defoe as the man to bolster his attacking options and an 18-month loan move is very close to being completed as the striker gets set to link up with his former England team-mate.
Defoe has fallen out of favour at Bournemouth and has made just eight appearances in all competitions for Eddie Howe’s side. But now the former Three Lions star will be tasked with firing Rangers to silverware success this term.
The 36-year-old has played at the top level throughout his career as he has turned out for the likes of West Ham United, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland and his wages were thought to be a major stumbling block to any potential move.
Rangers have been locked in talks with the Cherries and reached an agreement yesterday that will see the striker leave Dean Court midway through the three-year contract he signed last summer following his departure from Sunderland.
He will be joined by midfielder Davis after he agreed an 18-month contract that will bring an end to his time with Southampton and clinch an emotional return seven years after he left Ibrox. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed Davis’ imminent departure yesterday and the deal will now be finalised as Gerrard looks to get two statement of intent moves over the line early this month.
“The fact is that he has a contract here until the summer so what we want to give him is a chance to make the next step,” said Hasenhuttl.
“If it is a possibility then we will help him to do so. I think he has done a lot for this club and we [want to] find a good solution where we have a win-win for both sides.”
Both Defoe and Davis will link up with Gerrard’s squad at their winter training base in Tenerife next week but the Light Blues also have one eye on next term as they attempt to wrap up a pre-contract move for Jones.
The 24-year-old is expected to undergo a medical today before agreeing terms on a long-term deal that will see him join the Gers at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has no disciplinary charges to answer from the 1-0 win over Celtic.
The 22-year-old striker appeared to kick out at Hoops skipper Scott Brown, stand on defender Anthony Ralston and flick out his hand at midfielder Ryan Christie’s groin.