The least-plausible New York Red Bulls transfer rumor of the moment was never particularly dependent on the usual player-on-the-move triggers: Jermain Defoe did not appear to be unhappy at Sunderland, or underperforming (his 15 goals in last season's Premier League went a long way to keeping the Black Cats in the top flight), or nearing the end of his contract (he was securely tied to Sunderland until 2018).
Nonetheless, an insistent group of unnamed sources suggested Defoe was on RBNY's summer shopping list and that the player was at least not opposed to living in New York.