Saturday 24 December 2016 19:26, UK
David Moyes insists Sunderland will not sell Jermain Defoe in January as the "priceless" forward represents his side's best chance of staying in the Premier League.
The 34-year-old has been huge success for the Black Cats since joining from Toronto FC in 2015 following a short stint in Major League Soccer and has scored 30 goals in 68 matches.
Sky Sports News HQ understand West Ham are interested in re-signing their former player in the new year as they look to bolster their striking options following an injury to Diafra Sakho.
Moyes has been warned by Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain that any January spending will be "very, very limited", with owner Ellis Short actively looking to sell the club.
But the Scot has all-but ruled out the idea of selling Defoe to raise funds, with Sunderland once again embroiled in a relegation scrap.
"He's priceless, isn't he? There is not a price we could put on his head because he's so important to us staying as a Premier League club," said Moyes, whose side currently sit in 18th place, a point away from safety.
"He's scored us eight goals just now and if he scores us another eight or 10 in the second half of the season, it will give us a great opportunity of staying up.
"We won't sell him, but we obviously can't stop people talking about it and writing about it."
Defoe's importance to Sunderland cannot be overestimated and he has been joined in that bracket by summer recruit Victor Anichebe, a man who started the season as a free agent without a club and has since established himself as a key figure in Moyes' team.
"Victor's form has been incredible. I don't think you could put a value on what Victor's worth at the moment for us, the way he has played," said Moyes ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Manchester United.
"I don't know how much it would cost us to go out on the high street and try to buy a Victor Anichebe somewhere, but it would be a lot of money.
"But what I've got to be mindful of is there are so many games around Christmas time [and with] us having a small squad, I have to try to maximise Victor, Jermain and the players who can help us make a difference during the games."
