Tottenham boss Martin Jol has ruled out letting Jermain Defoe
leave in January as speculation mounts on United's movements in the
mid-season transfer window.
Sir Alex Ferguson last week dropped a strong hint that he will
strengthen his squad when the transfer market opens next
month.
The Reds have been linked with a host of strikers, Defoe's name
included, with Fernando Torres and Klass Jan Huntelaar also widely
tipped to leave their respective clubs, Atletico Madrid and
Ajax.
But, former West Ham trainee Defoe, touted to follow Reds summer
signing Michael Carrick to Old Trafford for £12million, is off
limits according to Spurs boss Jol.
"Jermain's going nowhere, he's very important to us," he told the
London Evening Standard. "I'm not going to sell someone who is
playing such a crucial part to our challenge in the Carling Cup,
Uefa Cup, and Premiership."
Rumours abound because of the perception that Defoe is not a
regular at White Hart Lane, but Jol would disagree with such a
statement.
"There is talk of Jermain not playing regularly but he has started
six of the last nine games," he added. "Robbie Keane has only
started three games in the Premiership lately, but nobody is
talking about him wanting to go."
