Portsmouth are bracing for a mass exodus in January with half of their squad expected to leave Fratton Park. And one of those who shall almost certainly be heading for the exit door is the England international striker Jermain Defoe.

Defoe was signed by Portsmouth from Tottenham Hotsour in January earlier this year when Harry Redknapp was in charge of the club but now that Redknapp is managing north London club Tottenham, it has been reported that Redknapp is now eager to take the player back to White Hart Lane.

Defoe’s Portsmouth teammate Lauren has accepted the validity of this report and has also admitted that Pompey are going through a stage in which they shall lose a number of key players next month. He himself has declared that he shall not play at Fratton Park beyond January.

The Cameronian is quoted as saying:

“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.

“I’m leaving in January as well, going to Turkey or Greece.”

So a player exodus is on the way. Anyway want a share in that

Maybe Manchester City do. After all, they seem to like all the players in the world and maybe they can sign a few of their own standards instead of dreaming of the Casillases and Buffons and Ronaldos!