Rumor: Jermain Defoe wouldn't mind living in New York

Citing unnamed sources, Univision's FutbolMLS blog is gamely trying to advance the rumor that Sunderland's Jermain Defoe might be a transfer target for the New York Red Bulls.

You may recall this rumor started - and basically finished - with CaughtOffside.com's suggestion that RBNY had hatched a plan to splash its cash on Defoe and Robbie Keane. That seemed improbable for all sorts of reasons, but unnamed sources delight in confounding conventional wisdom.

Now David Ruiz reports for UnivisionDeportes that anonymous sources advise Defoe is not opposed to a return to MLS and likes the idea of living in New York. This is not necessarily the sort of information a player or his associates don't want to put on the record: Daniele De Rossi talks about his affection for New York with reliable frequency, for example.

Still, throw in the suggestion that RBNY's front office is worried about Bradley Wright-Phillips heading out to play Indian Super League - and you have yourself a transfer rumor. Not a convincing or even plausible one, but a rumor nonetheless.

Feeding one unlikely story (Defoe to RBNY) with another unlikely story (BWP to ISL) is bold work: well played, unnamed sources. You're not always right, but you are often entertaining.