Liverpool close in on keane deal - Liverpool close in on keane deal
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 1:21 pmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7528735.stm
Liverpool close in on Keane deal
Liverpool are expected to complete the £18m signing of striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham within 24 hours.
He underwent a medical on Monday and may be able to fly to Spain with the Liverpool squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Villarreal.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez completed the final stages of his negotiations with the 28-year-old over the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland star is expected to sign a five-year deal worth about £80,000 per week.
As a child growing up in Dublin, Keane was an avid supporter of the men from Anfield - and Liverpool will now become his sixth club after spells at Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, before his switch to Tottenham in 2002 for £7m.
Keane had become Benitez's number one summer target over recent weeks, with the need to replace Peter Crouch, who joined Portsmouth earlier this month, seemingly more important than pursuing the complicated and protracted move for Aston Villa's 27-year-old midfielder Gareth Barry.
With the prospect of Xabi Alonso now remaining at Anfield, Liverpool may now decline to respond to Villa manager Martin O'Neill's demand that they make their intentions regarding Barry clear.
Nice one Rafa! Good signing for us.
Liverpool close in on Keane deal
Liverpool are expected to complete the £18m signing of striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham within 24 hours.
He underwent a medical on Monday and may be able to fly to Spain with the Liverpool squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Villarreal.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez completed the final stages of his negotiations with the 28-year-old over the weekend.
The Republic of Ireland star is expected to sign a five-year deal worth about £80,000 per week.
As a child growing up in Dublin, Keane was an avid supporter of the men from Anfield - and Liverpool will now become his sixth club after spells at Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, before his switch to Tottenham in 2002 for £7m.
Keane had become Benitez's number one summer target over recent weeks, with the need to replace Peter Crouch, who joined Portsmouth earlier this month, seemingly more important than pursuing the complicated and protracted move for Aston Villa's 27-year-old midfielder Gareth Barry.
With the prospect of Xabi Alonso now remaining at Anfield, Liverpool may now decline to respond to Villa manager Martin O'Neill's demand that they make their intentions regarding Barry clear.
Nice one Rafa! Good signing for us.
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