SPURS TO LAUNCH CUT-PRICE BID
SPURS are trying to re-sign Liverpool's Robbie Keane.
And a bid anywhere near the £20m the league leaders paid in July could see the Irishman make a January return to White Hart Lane.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp wants to test how much patience Rafa Benitez has lost with the striker, who was an unused sub during yesterday's 3-1 win at Blackburn.
But even if Rafa looked to cash in, the Anfield board would need convincing of the merits, as the Merseysiders' would inevitably have to accept a loss.
They agreed to pay Spurs £20m in instalments, which means Redknapp could offer part of the summer fee and waive the estimated £10m still owed.
Keane's dream move to Merseyside has gone sour just five months into his Anfield career as he's struggled with confidence and form.
He effectively has until the end of the month to convince his manager Spurs' interest should be rebuffed as Rafa plots a radical shake-up of his squad in January.
Opportunity
Benitez wants funds to remedy summer transfer mistakes, none of whom started at Ewood Park.
Liverpool's recent signings have failed to have an impact, with only Albert Riera acquitting himself reasonably well.
Left back Andrea Dossena, who cost £7m from Udinese, will be offloaded back to Italy at the first opportunity.
Right-back Phillip Degen, who was given a £2m signing on fee and £38,000-a-week salary when he joined from Borussia Dortmund, hasn't featured in the Premier League due to a succession of injuries.
Rafa wants to bring Emile Heskey back to Anfield for £3m, as well as two full-backs to compete with Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa.
Lure
There are those at Anfield who still hope Rafa can be convinced into a rethink on Michael Owen at the right price, especially if Keane is sold, but the manager opposes the idea.
Keane grew up as a Liverpool fan and always wanted to become a idol on the Kop.
After starting at Wolves, he had spells at Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds before finally settling at Spurs, where he became club captain.
Last season he formed one of best partnerships in the Premier League with Dimitar Berbatov but could not resist the lure of Anfield.
But he has only scored four goals for the Reds, has played 90 minutes just three times and been substituted 15 times.
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This article has 55 comments
LFC should sell Kuyt as well....he is in his prime, is fit and the most marketable he will ever be....plus i think is useless! Grab Lennon for the wing and another striker and we will be golden!
By carlos.. Posted February 3 2009 at 3:25 AM.
keane is a red, all the way
By mike.. Posted December 26 2008 at 11:09 PM.
I think Liverpool should have got Ledley King but the problem he is too injury -prone. Maybe we should raid White Hart Lane for Jermaine Jenas to partner with Gerrard in mid-field. Upfront Benitez needs Samuel Eto'o not Ibrahamovic. Zlatan Ibrahamovic does not exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposition defences.
Whilst considering his options of finding another match-winner or talisman to assist Gerrard, Benitez should have a good look at Ghana Captain ,Stephen Appiah who can breathe fire and passion into the Reds' Game
By Andrew B. Kamanga.. Posted December 9 2008 at 9:50 AM.
Rafa should sell Keane, Degen, Pennant & Lucas and buy 2 more players. A striker to complement Torres( someone like Heskey) and a left back to challenge Aurelio.
By azli.. Posted December 9 2008 at 5:00 AM.
liverpool should rid of a few players at the end of the season and start again with some new talent
We should sell:
benayoun 7m
pennant 6m
keane 20m to tottenham
Kuyt 12m
Dossena 7m
degen 3m
we will get at least 50m for them all,
that is enough to buy 3 or 4 world class players.
we should sign the following:
zlatan ibrahimovic to partner torres
aaron lennon to fill the right side of midfield
Kaka to give us a more attacking look
sergio aguero to give us competition for the fwd/ st places, just like arsenal, chelsea, man utd, man city have. we only ever have 1 good striker!!!
By Macca 1.. Posted December 9 2008 at 3:18 AM.
liverpool should stop wasting their time with keane, bring babel upfront like he played with ajax, and bring some of the reserves talent through like nemeth, and N'Gog. also buy a 1st grade striker to the team to help Torres, lets go for the ibrahimovices and KAKA's. stop wasting time with the keanes and owens!
By Macca 1.. Posted December 9 2008 at 3:10 AM.
I wrote to successive Spurs managers for years trying to get rid of Shouty-pointy Man. In the absence of the likes of Aaron Lennon, Edgar Davids and Michael Carrick, he's finally exposed for the clown he is, and now they want to get him back!?!?
This must be a joke, pleeeeeeeeeease...
By Stratty.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:20 PM.
id have left a rubbish club like spurs too. far too many supporters up their their own hides thinking their players owe them their lives. grow up, this is football, people move on all the time. he was great for spurs and if you fools are blinded by your hate, your welcome to wallow in your own self pity.
By dan o.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:03 PM.
I DONT THINK KEANE IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUR TEAM THIS SEASON, SELL HIM,GET HESKEY,OR OWEN SOME ONE WHO CAN FINISH WHEN HE GETS THE BALL IN THE BOX,IT MIGHT GIVE U A BETTER CHANCE FOR THE TITLE
By A RED FROM MANCS.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:03 PM.
Robbie keane a LFC player 4 life, not going anywhere
By mike.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:22 PM.
'Getting into semi finals and finals etc.... is what? What is your point? What kind of statement is that?? West Brom got to the final of the F.A cup'
Spurs fans are stupid,West Brom haven't been to an fa cup final for 40 years!? And yes, I'm sure Keane would prefer to be playing in the later stages of the premier european competition, and challenging for the league (being top in December), instead of lying out of the relegation zone only on goal difference!!
You don't get to the top of the league with your only striker (Torres injured most of the season so far), if he was infact performing so badly. Keane is proven class, and will score more goals for Liverpool.
By ..... Posted December 7 2008 at 8:16 PM.
My first thoughts were, let him suffer, we don't want him back. Then I thought about it, of course we don't just want him back, we need him back. I think this is just paper talk, but if it's not & he want's to come back, then every Spurs supporter should welcome him with open arms.
By mickey.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:51 PM.
If robbie went back to spurs and started scoring again i bet all will be forgotten in a few weeks, give the lad a break its obvious things arent working out at the pool. Everyone deserves a second chance
By w.r.f.c.. Posted December 7 2008 at 7:30 PM.
not sure we would let liverpool off the hook best bit of business done over the summer.Berbie&keane had a great understanding together but as individuals they have not been so hot for either club. You need players that want to play for the club as well as win things.So lets look to the future and buy players who want the same things as the fans success,otherwise we might as well pack it all in.
By gettingthereslowly.. Posted December 7 2008 at 7:22 PM.
Keane has already been rescued, that is from spurs. Keane has proved himself at every club, he has ever been at. Keane is like Michael Owen a proven goal scorer, the goals will come in time.
In my opinion when Torrez is fully fit and when Keane is playing along side of him, on a regular basis then, the goals will come
By mike.. Posted December 7 2008 at 5:41 PM.
Keane is a Liverpool Player now, end of, Keane has signed a contract and is going no where.
By mike.. Posted December 7 2008 at 5:33 PM.
Ref:Paul
Getting into semi finals and finals etc.... is what? What is your point? What kind of statement is that?? West Brom got to the final of the F.A cup, does that make them a 'great' team....? getting into the champions league next round and being at the top of the table means absolutely nothing unless you actually win it!!! Yeah you won it a couple of seasons back with the biggest fluke result in history and all Liverpool fans go on and on about how good you are? Man Utd yes i'd agree but as a Liverpool fan you can not pass judgement to anyone.....Liverpool will always just be a top four fringe team!!!
By nick.. Posted December 7 2008 at 4:33 PM.
Keane is a good committed player, selling him would be a huge mistake, he's under alot of pressure give him time to settle and by the end of next season if liverpool dont sell him he'll get up to 30 goals under his belt. Some spurs fans need to grow up a little and consentrate on not being religated and not slagging off one of their all time great players, and give him the respect he deserves.
By Jason.. Posted December 7 2008 at 4:07 PM.
"I can understand his desire to play for his boyhood club, but where has it got him?".
What??????? He is playing for a club that is currently sitting at the top of the table, has reached the semi finals of the Champions league three times and the finals twice in the last four years, and is through to the next stage of this years Champions League.
As opposed to playing for a team that is sitting in the bottom half of the Premiership!
He must be so miserable!
By Paul.. Posted December 7 2008 at 3:17 PM.
No, I don't want to see Keane back. After all he said he will stay with Tottenham until he retires or Tottenham don't want him any more and a few months later he's off for a big back of money.
Also is what him and Berbertov who started the player strike in the first place so why bring him back.
Defore, Crouch or Ashton for me up front and Glenn Johnson & Wayne Bridge as new full backs in January.
By Mark.. Posted December 7 2008 at 3:01 PM.
The reason Defoe was sold to portsmouth was because Keene pledged his future to Tottenham, quote: "this is my spritual home and i want to see out the rest of my career at Spurs" were the words used not so long ago by Keene.Thats why Defoe was sold because he would of only of been a super-sub at Spurs while Keene was there, and then with the slightest bit of Interest from Liverpool Keene is off like a shot!!
I can understand his desire to play for his boyhood club, but where has it got him? Keene was settlled at Spurs and can not settle at Liverpool as he is just a squad player now, typical of Liverpool to buy a club captain then drop him to the bench because they think they are a great team. Big club yes, good team then no, Liverpool do not have the ability to win the Premership this year or any other year for that matter, they will never be good enough.
I wouldn't want to see Keene back at Spurs as he has made his so called 'dream' move, Defoe certainly as he never wanted to leave in the first place...
By Nick.. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:51 PM.
Concur with what someone else said. Robbie was made to look good by Berbie. No way should we take him back and certainly for nothing more than £7m. We need to move on! The reason we are n the position we are in because both our strikers left us in the lurch....we need to move on, like they did.
By J.. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:26 PM.
The reason Defoe was sold to portsmouth was because Keene pledged his future to Tottenham, quote: "this is my spritual home and i want to see out the rest of my career at Spurs" were the words used not so long ago by Keene.Thats why Defoe was sold because he would of only of been a super-sub at Spurs while Keene was there, and then with the slightest bit of Interest from Liverpool Keene is off like a shot!!
I can understand his desire to play for his boyhood club, but where has it got him? Keene was settled at Spurs and can not settle at Liverpool as he is just a squad player now, typical of Liverpool to buy a club captain then drop him to the bench because they think they are a great team. Big club yes, good team then no, Liverpool do not have the ability to win the Premership this year or any other year for that matter, they will never be good enough.
I wouldn't want to see Keene back at Spurs as he has made his so called 'dream' move, Defoe certainly as he never wanted to leave in the first place...
By Nick.. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:25 PM.
hi, Robbie Keane is now a Liverpool Player, he will never go beck to Spurs, Robbie wants to be challenging for the Premiership, and the Champions League. Not the Carling cup. Spurs is a big club, but not bigger enough for Robbie, as far as I am concerned.
By mike.. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:04 PM.
Without Berbatov, Keane would fail. The best two seasons of his career were alongside him.
By 9er.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:45 PM.
This is not about redknapp and why would i think he's a judas because
he's with us now, i don't think arsenal fans thought campbell was a judas when he joined them.
By Nigel.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:41 PM.
i would like to see dean windass . he is top quality
By norbert.. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:57 AM.
Judas?!
RK?!
No he left 2 fulfil a dream at a more than reasonable price £20m
SC-um left 4 Ar5ena1 4 free - thats Judas
Does no one remember Neil 'Razor' Ruddock,how many times did we sign him!!! Was he a Judas?
Come back home Robbie,we miss ya
C.O.Y.S
By Bob.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:15 PM.
Have a look at your Manager and what happened with Portsmouth before you start your Judas comments. He was given unbelievable stick when he left first time, was welcomed back with open arms as the all conquering hero and as soon as a 'big' job came along he jumped ship. People in glass houses?!!
By Sam.. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:25 AM.
Glen Johnson would be a great signing for January. He's an offensinve right back and that's what we need when Kyut plays on the right, plus he can play CL and all
By tXOMIN.. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:29 AM.
judas is aword for that sad excuse campbell,dont put keane in the same catergory,money has and always will be the main reason for people moving on,judas campbell left for free
By dave.d.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:49 AM.
First of all shame on you spurs fans that call Keane a Judas as he gave a lot for your club all without european football. I would like to see Robbie Keane stay at Liverpool as okay it should not take a proven goalscorer that much time to adapt to his new role but you cannot judge a player on one season. I am not comparing here but just look at Berbatov he cost 30m and has scored hardly any so why is he not getting the stick from the sunday papers?
By Matt.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:47 AM.
if gerrard plays right with alonso and mascherano in the middle, with riera left, the keane torres partnership will work.
owen back at 2m - yes
he has suffered the most by leaving anfield,
Hesky - well i don't think the team can cope with his and kuyt's goals per game ratio.
By Abdel Koussa.. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:00 AM.
Of course we want him back, no way was he a judas. He wanted the opportunity to play for his boyhood heroes but was not against spurs at all. I would be glad to see him back as a spurs fan in fact it would be the best Christmas present!
By jen.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:54 AM.
Robbie Keane would be gutted to have to return to Spurs. It would effectively mean his career was over,by going back to a place where the league cup will allways be the height of their achievements!
By Mark.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:22 AM.
Robbie Keane would be gutted to have to return to Spurs. It would effectively mean his career was over,by going back to a place where the league cup will allways be the height of their achievements!
By Mark Leddy.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:21 AM.
Robbie Keane would be gutted to have to return to Spurs. It would effectively mean his career was over,by going back to a place where the league cup will allways be the height of their achievements!
By Mark Leddy.. Posted December 7 2008 at 10:20 AM.
Of course Premier League rules mean that keane can't come back in january
By Paul.. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:27 AM.
Robbie Keane was idolized by Spurs fans,he walked out and hurt a lot of people. Robbie is past tense,it would be a backward step for Spurs to have him back,thanks but no thanks.
By michael campbell.. Posted December 7 2008 at 9:09 AM.
once a judas always a judas! we don't want him back!
By spurs4ever!.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:36 AM.
Keane was a jolly nice player who scored a lot of goals for spurs in his time it strikes me that spurs fans not wanting him back are stupid. Its the mentality of the fans that worries me here, refering back to one fan who said that he stabbed them in the back. For heavens sake he wanted to follow his dream and play for his childhood hereos. No offence meant but this is why working class people will always be working class, they cant move on with their lives they are to busy holding grudges and harbouring jealousy towards each other. Once again no offence meant to Spurs fans i am sure some of you have business etc.
By Brain Ashford Russell.. Posted December 7 2008 at 8:01 AM.
I agree with Terry, RK was great at Spurs and no sooner had he declared his love for the club he left for Liverpool. Well good luck to him but Spurs had to restyle their strikeforce, it still needs a bit of tinkering but it has moved on from the RK & DB pairing.
By BOB.. Posted December 7 2008 at 6:14 AM.
I loved Robbie Keane whilst he was a Spurs player, the danger is whether he would still be the same player if he returned to Spurs (The club he loves and wants to end his career at!), Robbie Keane was granted his wish by a very reluctant Levy, let him be sold to Sunderland or West Ham, they would deserve and need him more than the Mighty Spurs.
By Sidders.. Posted December 7 2008 at 6:05 AM.
I'd rather have Defoe back than Keane.
Keane should stay at liverpool and keep their bench warm,doesn't deserve to come back to Spurs.
By Harry.. Posted December 7 2008 at 5:21 AM.
its funny that terry and nigel ,made a comment about keane been a judas,and once a judas always a judas.just ask anybody at portsmount about spurs new manager, take of your blinkers lads.
By scorcher.. Posted December 7 2008 at 4:22 AM.
think us spurs fans are being a bit short sited here !! robbie had been at our club for years so i think he deseveres more respect ! and no i dont want robbie back ! the club has to move forward not back !! hope it does work out for keano but i would t have him back at spurs ! he was great at spurs but the key word is WAS !! lets go and get heskey !!
By bam bam .. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:40 AM.
Get rid of him rafa what a waste of money he is and why would liverpool want heskey back surely they need a goalscorer
By mike.. Posted December 7 2008 at 2:09 AM.
robbie keane should go back to spurs do dat spurs dnt get relegated
By gunners 4 life.. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:53 AM.
If I remember correctly, a player can´t be bought to the club he was sold from within a year. So that would make it impossible for him to be sold to us in January...
And I really don´t see Levy paying the same amount back, max 6-9m.... but I really don´t see Levy buy him back after all that happened and after Keane stabbed us in the back...
By anonymous.. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:35 AM.
keane is the best thing that happend to spurs
By arsenal.. Posted December 7 2008 at 1:20 AM.
Spurs only need players who will commit Keane handed his tranfer request and got his wish now l say enjoy! Give the new boys a go
By frank S.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:52 AM.
I hope not, he ruined our season so he can stay with his childhood club, I don't want him back
By DAWN.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:23 AM.
there is a school of excellance for the kids on merseyside, why cant we be more like arsenal and to some extent though i loathe to say it man u,PRODUCE MORE OF OUR OWN FROM ROOT LEVEL,.Unproved foreign players is becoming tedious
By terry.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:15 AM.
I am a spurs fan and personally i don't want keane back as i
don't think he can form a partnership with pavlyuchenko and
the only way i see this deal going through is
with bent going the other way. I still remember keane's "i love spurs and want to stay for the rest of my carreer" speech.
once a judas always a judas!
By Nigel.. Posted December 7 2008 at 12:04 AM.
We don't want that short-sighted Judas back.
If he wants to help kill the game by helping to make sure only 4 teams can win anything/get into the top European competition because they have all the top players, then let him have a lot of rope to do so!
By name.. Posted December 6 2008 at 11:44 PM.