Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe fears that he may have to quit White Hart Lane in search of first-team football as new boss Andre Villas-Boas assesses his striking options.
The England international admits that the campaign was “heartbreaking” due to his lack of opportunities, though he still managed 17 goals despite being restricted largely to appearances from the bench.
Villas-Boas remains keen on Internacional hitman Leandro Damiao and is also confident of securing the services of Emmanuel Adebayor on a permanent basis, but Defoe is the only senior striker currently at the club.
“Everyone knows how much I love Tottenham,” the former Portsmouth man told the Daily Mirror. “Everybody knows that they are the club I want to play for.
“But last season was heartbreaking for me in terms of putting my body on the line, being prepared to give everything for the club and not getting a game.”
Defoe spent most of last season on the sidelines despite putting himself through a gruelling training camp in France in the summer.
He was included in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man England squad for Euro 2012, however, and the 29-year-old is now considering a fresh start away from London with Sunderland, Reading and QPR all reportedly monitoring his situation.
“Obviously I have to think seriously about my future,” he added. “I will talk to the club and see what happens but right now all I want to do is what is best for Tottenham.”
Defoe has two years left on his current deal at White Hart Lane.