Tottenham are reportedly considering a swap-deal between Jermain Defoe and Liverpool and Australia midfielder Harry Kewell.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has already stated his intention to bring in at least one new striker in the close-season and has long been linked with a move for England striker Defoe who, even though he surprisingly failed to make the 23-man squad for the Finals in Germany, is on standby.

With Tottenham’s signing of Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, who was the Bündesliga’s second top striker this season, England back-up striker Jermain Defoe is now looking more likely to make a summer move from White Hart Lane.

Defoe has had far less first-team action this season at White Hart Lane than he would have liked, playing second fiddle for much of the campaign to Ireland’s Robbie Keane and Egyptian striker Mido.

This lack of first-team play with the eventual fifth-placed team in the Premiership may well have cost Defoe his place in the England squad for the World Cup Finals in Germany, and Liverpool - who are in desperate need of a new striker – would welcome a striker like Defoe with open arms.

Should Defoe favour a move to Anfield, Benitez could be prepared to sacrifice Socceroo winger Kewell in exchange for the England forward.

Kewell took some time to settle in at Anfield since his move from Leeds United, and has had the best season yet for Liverpool, but has yet to truly convince Benitez on his ability to perform at the highest level, while a series of nagging fitness issues also are a cause for concern with Kewell having been forced to limp-out in the three seperate finals - the Carling Cup, Champions League and FA Cup.

Benitez has stated that there are to be many changes to the squad in the summer, and has already mentioned that Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez, Gabriel Paletta and Fabio Aurelio are all expected to be unveiled officially as Liverpool players during the close-season.

Along with Gonzalez, Benitez also has the likes of Bolo Zenden and the versatile John Arne Riise to fill the gap in Kewell’s absence.

Martin Jol has also been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Carlton Cole for an estimated £3million (€4.5million), who could plug the gap Defoe leaves behind, while the ambitious Spurs boss is also thought to be impressed with West Ham and England left-back Paul Konchesky, and may try to lure him from the Hammers.

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