Report: Jermain Defoe set to join Leicester City

Jermain Defoe is reportedly getting the hell out of Toronto FC's way.

In a slightly bloodier big deal than his previous move, Jermain Defoe will reportedly be returning to the Premier League as he's set to join Leicester City from Toronto.

According to David Hytner of the Guardian, Leicester have surpassed Queens Park Rangers as Defoe's most likely destination, and the club "are confident of closing the deal" despite QPR manager Harry Redknapp claiming that the 32-year-old striker is among his list of prominent targets for the winter transfer window.

Defoe joined Toronto on a four-year deal at the beginning of the calendar year as a Designated Player and was expected to guide the club to its first-ever MLS playoff appearance.

However - as has been the case season after season at BMO Field - it didn't take long for things to take an ugly turn. Despite scoring 11 goals in 19 matches, Defoe struggled with injuries that sidelined him at a crucial point in the campaign, and Toronto ultimately missed out on the playoffs.

The Canadian club's season was also marred by yet another bewildering situation regarding management, as manager Ryan Nelsen was sacked in August along with the majority of his coaching staff.

Such a combination of factors understandably led to Defoe contemplating a move away from BMO Field, and his decision was surely boosted in one direction following comments from club president Tim Leiweke, who told the Englishman to "get the hell out of our way" if he didn't want to be at Toronto.

At Leicester, Defoe's goal-scoring exploits will be expected to help the club climb out of the relegation zone, where they sit at the bottom of the table with only 14 points from 20 fixtures.