With West Ham sitting 13th in the Premier League table, Slaven Bilic has some work to do if he is going turn the Hammers' season round. It is looking like that the Croatian is turning to two former West Ham players in a bid to improve his side at both ends of the pitch. It was reported that the East London club submitted a £6 million bid to Sunderland for 34-year-old striker Jermain Defoe which was swiftly rejected. They have also enquired to Stoke about their 32-year-old full back Glen Johnson, it is clear that age is not an issue with Bilic as he is prioritising experience to get West Ham out of their current peculiar situation.
Jermain Defoe
If there is one thing that Jermain Defoe guarentees its goals. Defoe began his career with West Ham and if the moves materialises will more than likely finish his career in East London. The striker has scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for Sunderland this season, proving to be the catalyst in the club's bid to avoid relegation this season. His importance to the club is clear as is their intentions after rejecting West Ham's £6 million bid for their star striker. David Moyes described Defoe as "priceless" as his goals are proving to be the difference between survival and relegation. West Ham are reportedly ready to return with an improved bid for their former player and have even gone as far as to tell Sunderland to "name their price".
It is highly unlikely that Moyes will sanction a move to allow Defoe to leave the club, so any chance of a deal is all down to the player's desire to leave.
Glen Johnson
Another player to have began his career in East London is Stoke full back Glen Johnson, West Ham have reportedly enquired about the availability of the player.
He was signed 18 months ago in a free transfer from Liverpool and strangely awarded the number 8, and has been a consistent figure in Mark Hughes' Stoke team. It is understood that Stoke like Sunderland are reluctant to let their player leave the club, especially in the January transfer window and now it is up to West Ham to submit a formal bid to the player.
However it seems a similar story to Defoe. Two former West Ham players subject of their former club's interest and it is up to them to force a move back to East London with their respective clubs unwilling to sanction a January transfer, with both playing regular first-team Football.
