Jermain Defoe is committed to Toronto and will only talk about a possible January move away from the club in December, according to the boss of the Major League Soccer franchise.
Defoe was linked with a return to the Premier League this summer, just a few months after moving to Canada, but Tim Leiweke insists the former Tottenham forward is committed to helping the team reach the MLS playoffs.
Leiweke, president and chief executive of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Toronto's parent company, said at the Leaders in Sport conference in London: "Jermain Defoe is focused on the remaining four games [of the regular season].
"There is no deal, no conversation, not even a thought right now. Jermain understands the uniqueness of Major League Soccer, we have playoffs. That's the defining moment on the success of our clubs.
"Making the playoffs 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 playoffs and making that the only concern that we have right now."