Top 5: The Premier League’s most sought after relegation threatened stars

Jermain Defoe

At 34 years of age, many fans would look past Jermain Defoe when it comes to attacking talent but, barring Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane, Sunderland’s in-form striker is the highest scoring English international in the race for this season’s Golden Boot award.

The former Spurs forward has 14 goals in 27 appearances this season, almost matching the 15 that he netted in 2015-16 and taking him over the milestone of 150 Premier League goals (157).

In fact; only Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney, Andy Cole, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry and Robbie Fowler have scored more than The Black Cats striker and he is one of only eight players who have passed this milestone since the Premier League started in 1992-93.

Sunderland are in last place and, unless they can pull off another great escape, they look fairly certain to be playing Championship football next season.

Whether they manage to stay up or not, they will have a fight on their hands to keep what is arguably their biggest asset with Burnley, Swansea City and Watford all interested, and with West Ham United already having two bids rejected back in January.