The 28-year-old has been linked with a £10m transfer to the Magpies, who are still looking to replace Andy Carroll, who moved to Liverpool in January.
Manager Alan Pardew is thought to have made Defoe a summer target, but the Spurs striker believes there is too much "behind the scenes upheaval" at the club, and he would rather stay in London.
Which suggests he is not convinced Pardew is in total control at the club, and Mike Ashley pulling the strings.