Perry Groves believes Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe would quit the Black Cats for rivals Newcastle United ‘in a heartbeat’ if he was offered the chance this summer.
Defoe moved to the Stadium of Light from FC Toronto in 2014 and has since proven to Premier League fans that age is nothing but a number.
The 34-year-old has scored nearly 40 goals for the Black Cats over the last three seasons, but his time with the club could potentially be nearing an end.
Defoe can leave Wearside on a free transfer this summer and there have been reports suggesting that Newcastle are interested in signing the England forward ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Sunderland seem set to be relegated to the Championship, and their contrasting fortunes in comparison to Newcastle has left Groves discussing the unthinkable.
“I know they say ‘Sunderland to Newcastle, would Jermain Defoe go? His loyalty is to Sunderland…’ He’d go in a heartbeat,” Groves told talkSPORT.
“You’re on statue proportions aren’t you?”