Jermain Defoe is seeking talks with Tottenham over a new contract extension.

The Daily Mail says the England international is ready to heed the advice offered by former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand and turn down the chance to join either West Ham, Aston Villa or Portsmouth because it would be moving a rung down the professional ladder.

The 24-year-old forward, who scored 18 times last term and impressed Spurs boss Martin Jol with his professional approach, has two years left on his current deal and may now sit down with Tottenham to thrash out new terms.

He knows Tottenham may have to sell him if he does not start negotiations with the club because his value will start to drop once the season starts and his current deal begins to run down.