Lauren: Defoe returning to Tottenham
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Portsmouth’s Lauren claims that himself, Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson will all leave the club during the January transfer window, with the striker returning to Tottenham.
Defoe has been strongly linked to his old club Spurs, but Lauren has hinted that the England international has already agreed to move back to White Hart Lane, even though a deal cannot be done within a year of his sale to Fratton Park.
The quicksilver England forward signed on the final day of the 2008 winter window so presumably no transfer can be processed before then due to league rules.
Former Chelsea full back Johnson will also be on the move, according to Lauren, who says an exodus will ‘dismantle’ Pompey, who are reported to be facing a serious economic crisis.
Lassana Diarra’s transfer to Real Madrid is in the pipeline after a fee was agreed and will be followed my more departures of key players, Lauren has warned.
Lauren told As: “The team is dismantling itself and big sides are coming. Diarra is not the only one, Defoe as well is returning to Tottenham, and Glen Johnson is leaving.
“The economic situation is very bad and we are aware of it. Look at the signings they made two years ago: they bought myself, Sol Campbell, Defoe, Pedro Mendes, who has moved to Rangers. Well, the majority of them are going to leave.”
About himself, Lauren said: “I’m leaving in January as well, going to Turkey or Greece.”
Lauren has compared Lassana Diarra with Claude Makelele, but described the 23-year-old as an even better player than his fellow countryman.
He told As: “He reminds me of Makelele a lot for his physique, for the way he moves on the pitch and for his position, because he wins lots of balls in midfield.
“The big difference between them is that Lassana Diarra can do long passes. Besides, he can attack quite well. He’s a very versatile footballer, as a consequence, Madrid have signed a top player.”