REPORTED Cherries target Jermain Defoe says he would urge any footballer to join the club but insists he is focused only on international football and not his future.

Defoe is certain to leave current employers Sunderland, with a clause in his contract enabling him to exit on a free transfer following the Wearsiders' relegation from the Premier League.

The striker is desperate to continue playing in the top-flight to keep alive his dream of featuring for England at next year's World Cup finals and is hotly tipped to complete a move to Vitality Stadium.

Nevertheless, Defoe wants to park all talk about his next destination and concentrate on the Three Lions' forthcoming matches against Scotland and France.

"There has been a lot of speculation about me going to this club and that club, a lot of stuff about Bournemouth,” Defoe told Sky Sports.

"I want to get my head down, get England out of the way and then sit down with my family and decide what I really want to do. We will see what happens.

"Bournemouth is a fantastic club. Even if I was stood here as a retired footballer, I would say for any player, young player, someone that wants to improve and play under a top manager and coaches at a family club, it is a good club to go to.

“What Eddie Howe has achieved is unbelievable. They have a good team, a lot of energy and I really enjoyed my time there when I was younger, it was brilliant."

Defoe's form for Sunderland, where he scored 15 goals last season, won him a recall to the international fold following an absence of more than three years.

He scored for his country in March's World Cup qualifying victory over Lithuania and will hope to help Gareth Southgate's side cement their spot at the top of Group F when they play the Scots at Hampden Park on June 10.

England then travel to France for a friendly match three days later, after which Defoe will turn his mind to his next career move.

The 34-year-old, who scored 19 goals during a loan spell with Cherries in 2000-01, also claimed he did not want to show any disrespect to Sunderland by bolting for the exit so soon after their disappointing campaign.

“I have just kept my head down and I am focused on England and the two games coming up – whether I play or not, just to be around the team and to try to enjoy it," he continued.

"There is no better feeling than to put that England shirt on. The season is finished now, I want switch off from league football and focus on international football.

"After that I am sure everyone will know what is happening.”