Rangers striker Jermaine Defoe has been touted as a possible option for Sunderland recently and Steven Gerrard should allow the 38-year-old veteran to leave Ibrox this summer.

According to The Scottish Sun, the striker doesn't want to quit football, with Paul Robinson suggesting that Sunderland would definitely be interested in re-signing him should the opportunity arise.

The former England international spent time with the Mackems between 2014 and 2017, contributing an impressive 37 goals and four assists in 93 appearances.

Whilst Defoe was impressive for Rangers last season, hitting 13 goals in 20 Premiership appearances, he has found himself on the fringes of Gerrard's squad this season, managing just 13 appearances in all competitions, although he has contributed four goals and two assists in that time.

The experienced forward is one of the top earners at Ibrox, as he reportedly earns £30k per week, and unfortunately, rare appearances from the bench do not justify that sort of wage, and therefore, Gerrard should allow him to leave and continue playing football elsewhere this summer when his contract with the Gers expires.

The former Liverpool man may well be tempted to keep his former England teammate to keep some experience in his first-team squad, but really, he should cast one eye towards the future at Rangers, and instead focus on the development of some strikers in the academy sides, as if Defoe were to sign, you feel that his game time would be extremely limited.

Gerrard already has the likes of Alfredo Morelos, Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten as striker options in his side, so you feel that Defoe won't be missed too much if he is allowed to leave in the summer, plus, freeing up such a large salary may make things a bit easier for Gerrard in the transfer market.

Therefore, despite his solid contribution during his time as a Rangers player, Gerrard should not consider handing Defoe a new deal. He should axe the 38-year-old this summer, allow him to move on to pastures new and start focusing on the future for Rangers.

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