Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe is wanted at Tottenham, Andre Villas-Boas insists.

Andre Villas-Boas has claimed that he is happy with Jermain Defoe and hopes he stays at Tottenham as the striker admitted a transfer is out of his control.

Reports have widely speculated that Defoe has agreed a move to Toronto FC in the MLS and will make his move in January. Should the deal be confirmed it will likely effect his standing in the England World Cup squad with Roy Hodgson saying he would reconsider including Defoe on the plane to Brazil should he leave the Premier League.

The 31 year old has been struggling somewhat for regular game time with Tottenham, having fallen out of favour with summer signing Roberto Soldado challenging him for a starting spot, but the Portuguese tactician insists that Defoe is important to Spurs and will have a better chance of competing in Brazil if he stays in north London.

"We have three great strikers and it's a question of a choice and strategy," Villas-Boas said, according to the Telegraph. "Jermain has been doing well so he deserves his place. It was a great performance from him. I cannot stop speculation coming, but I am extremely happy with Defoe.

"People can link him to other clubs, we can't stop that. It doesn't mean that we're going to accept any offer and I think he knows he is better staying in the Premier League for his England chances."

Defoe meanwhile insists that he is not concentrating on the transfer speculation, with recent reports also connecting him with a possible move to West Ham.

"I've heard links with Toronto and West Ham and as we get close to the transfer window you are going to get speculation," he explained.

"It's out of your hands, sometimes you end up leaving a club where you want to stay and sometimes you get in the team of a club you think you are leaving, you end up playing well and stay.

"I've started the last two games and I'm happy. I've been patient, there are a lot of good players in the squad, but when your chance comes you've got to take it."