Keane Demands Liverpool Switch

The Sun claims that Keane has told Spurs boss Juande Ramos he wants to leave, just days after Barry publicly announced his desire to quit Aston Villa in favour of the Reds.

The Merseyside giants have been linked on and off with the Irish hitman over the past few seasons, though never with any great conviction.

However, recent developments and the current circumstances of both clubs suggest the speculation may be more concrete this time around.

Rafa Benitez is keen to increase his attacking options over the summer to accommodate his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, especially given the likely departure of unsettled target-man Peter Crouch.

Hence, the Spaniard has reportedly offered the England international to the Lilywhites in a part player-exchange valued at around ₤20million, which would see Keane make the switch to Anfield.

Ramos will not let half of his star strike-duo leave so easily, however, especially given the other half – Dimitar Berbatov – is also intent on exiting White Hart Lane.

The pair have tallied an impressive 91 goals in their two seasons together, establishing themselves as arguably the Premier League’s most lethal goal-scoring partnership.

And so if one leaves in search of Champions League football, it is quite likely that the other may wish to follow – which would explain Ramos’ reluctance to sell ₤16million flop Darren Bent.

Mike Maguire