Toronto FC chief Tim Leiweke has revealed that talks regarding a new deal for Jermain Defoe have been placed on the backburner for now.
The English striker joined the MLS club from Tottenham in February this year but was already being linked with a premature departure when Premier League clubs showed interest in the summer transfer window.
Defoe was courted by both QPR and Leicester City during that time but remained with Toronto and is now determined to help the Canadian club to the MLS play-offs.
However, his future beyond the 2014 MLS season is not so clear with Leiweke, who heads TFC's owners Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, saying any talk of a deal will have to wait until the end of the year.
"Jermain Defoe is focused on the remaining four games (of the regular season)," the former LA Galaxy supremo said at the Leaders in Sport conference in London.
"There is no deal, no conversation, not even a thought right now.
"Jermain understands the uniqueness of Major League Soccer, we have play-offs. That's the defining moment on the success of our clubs.
"Making the play-offs would be a huge step forward (for Toronto). Jermain now gets that and is totally focused on that.
"As to what happens during the next transfer window, we've all agreed we'll put it on hold and talk about that in December.
"I compliment Jermain for being committed to trying to get us to the play-offs and making that the only concern that we have right now."
Defoe returned to action as a second-half substitute in the weekend's 3-0 loss to LA Galaxy marking his return to the Reds line-up for the first time since late August. The former England international, who had been struggling with a hamstring injury, has scored 11 goals in 17 appearances for the Canadian outfit.
