Robbie Keane

[John83]

Darren Bent was signed by Spurs for GBP16m last summer and Robbie has proved himself to be a far superior player. We often hear these fees and dismiss them as overdone or ridiculous. However, when you actually look at the players who are moving for large fees you do have to accept that some of our Irish players are worthy of much bigger transfer prices.

It's just the nature of the current transfer market.
I think those same people would sneer at the valuation of Bent at £16M. Prices are very high at the moment as there's a lot of money in the EPL.

[paulie_walnuts]

If nothing else I think it's good for Robbie that he's being hyped up for being worth these huge sums of money that only the very best players are worth for a top class club like Liverpool.

Comedy gold. Well done sir :D

[third policeman]

This was still being talked up on LFCTV last night, but not seen anything further in the media. Anybody heard anything?

[macdermesser]

If Andy Johnson is worth 10.5 million then Keane is worth the money .. should qualify that statement with relative to the crazy transfer fees being bandied about at the moment. After (Roy) Keane's signings last season .. he'd do well to steer clear of AJ.

[Razors left peg]

Seems like the story definately does have truth to it...
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3802081,00.html

[tetsujin1979]

Same here: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3802120,00.html

[tricky_colour]

Asking price £20 million apparently.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7483317.stm


Blimey he has gone up in value faster than eggs or cheese.

[co. down green]

Spurs are not very happy with Benitez (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/jul/11/premierleague.liverpool)

Rafael Benítez has riled Tottenham by going public with his wish to bring Robbie Keane to Liverpool. Having already angered Martin O'Neill, his managerial counterpart at Aston Villa, with his persistent courting of Gareth Barry, the Spaniard provoked amazement at White Hart Lane yesterday by confirming his interest in their Irish forward.

[tricky_colour]

Anfield exodus continues to fund Robbie Keane bid



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article4318924.ece

[stojkovic]

and hopefully more will follow out the door.

[RivaldoBabb]

According to the Liverpoolfc.tv website it could happen within the next 2 weeks, Benetiz has already made contact.

I think its great for all parties, liverpool need a player than can help Torres with the goals, and Keane has scored more goals in the premiership in the last 4 years than most players.

[beautifulrock]

will this happen? the papers now report that Berbatov will move to United, surely they ill not let both their main strikers go. Remeber that Defoe is no longer there now.

[third policeman]

Liverpool are talking this up as more or less a done deal. Ramos seems like he wants to cash in on his strikers to fund the complete rebuild of the Spurs team. It's potentially a great move for Keane, Liverpool and Ireland. Can only benefit us to have our best players competing in The Champions League and playing with the best players at club level.

[Maroon 7]

David Hytner and Sid Lowe Madrid
The Guardian, Friday July 18, 2008

Robbie Keane moved closer to his dream transfer to Liverpool yesterday as the Merseysiders prepared to make an offer worth in the region of £20m for the striker, and Juande Ramos, the Tottenham manager, admitted that his club would be duty bound to consider it.
Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, has identified Keane as a realistic target up front - he envisages forming a partnership with Fernando Torres - and as the club's move for the Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry encounters difficulties they have made Keane their priority signing.
Liverpool reason that having sold Peter Crouch to Portsmouth for £11m, and with funds tight, their need is more urgent for a replacement striker. They had hoped to sell the midfielder Xabi Alonso to Juventus to swell the transfer kitty but the Italian club signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla instead and have declared that their summer spending is over. Although Liverpool still want Barry, who is also desperate to join them, they have refused to pay Villa's asking price of £18m. The Barry saga has rumbled on since the end of last season to damaging effect and Liverpool, who have opened a channel of communication with Tottenham, do not want a repeat over Keane. They intend to act decisively.
Tottenham have maintained that neither Keane nor Dimitar Berbatov, their other leading striker, who is the subject of a £20m bid from Manchester United, are for sale. They have not encouraged the interest in either player and, as ever, the chairman Daniel Levy will play hard ball with their suitors. United will have to increase their offer for Berbatov and appear content to play a waiting game, yet things are expected to move more quickly with Keane and Liverpool

[tetsujin1979]

Not sure why Levy has criticised Keane, he did nothing to indicate he wants to leave Spurs, whereas Berbatov has been screaming it from the rooftops since last year.

[irishultra]

Most(probably Spurs fans who actually go to games every week i.e not Irish) seem to regard Keane as a bigger loss than Berbatov.

[Scram]

Levy criticised both Keane and Berbatov yesterday. When you hear the chairman doing that it's probably a done deal. Good move for Keane, I think Spurs are only appreciating just how crucial he is to them now, their entire fanbase is in shock at this, they felt it was a given Keane would be there forever.

I THINK this is a good move for Robbie but again, he has to be played in the right position.

Where will he fit in? Alongside Torres, as an alternative to Torres? In front of Torres? 4 4 1 1 ?

[NeilMcD]

Eh hardly shocking. They have a better player in Alonso than Barry in a similar position as well as Gerrard and Mascherano in central midfield. But they have nobody as good as Keane at dropping off the front striker.

Keane is a class act with a great attitude. He has been a top player for Spurs and I am sure the Spurs faithful will be ****ed off if he goes but if it improves him for Ireland I will be glad that he has gone.

[SilkCut]

Eh hardly shocking. They have a better player in Alonso than Barry in a similar position as well as Gerrard and Mascherano in central midfield. But they have nobody as good as Keane at dropping off the front striker.

Keane is a class act with a great attitude. He has been a top player for Spurs and I am sure the Spurs faithful will be ****ed off if he goes but if it improves him for Ireland I will be glad that he has gone.

Fully agree with this. Dont know why Liverpool so desperately want to sign Barry who is at best only as good as Alonso and not in any way as good as Mascherano or Gerrard. Keane would be a great signing he just looks like a Liverpool player, likes the ball played to his feet and would be the perfect foil for Torres. He is also a proven Premiership performer so there would be little risk involved. His presence at the club would also keep Torres on his toes.

[minty]

keane would really bring that "x" factor to liverpool and offer them that bit of creativity that they are lacking

[NeilMcD]

I know he likes a sing song but that is taking the mick bringing the X Factor.

[minty]

He is a very creative player and since Liverpool lack creativity besides hoofing it long and hoping that Gerrard or Torres produce some magic he will make a big difference

[endabob1]

Most(probably Spurs fans who actually go to games every week i.e not Irish) seem to regard Keane as a bigger loss than Berbatov.

Fantasy land, I'm no longer a regular at WHL but Berbatov would be a far bigger loss. Incidentally the word around Spurs is that Keane is happy to stay if nothing happens, ie. if it's all talk and Liverpool can't or won't meet the asking price, far from a done deal just yet.

[drummerboy]

Spurs look like they have managed to bag Arshavin from Zenith. Expect Robbie to move if it does happen.

[co. down green]

Spurs look like they have managed to bag Arshavin from Zenith. Expect Robbie to move if it does happen.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy seems to have jumped the gun (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/2447939/Toothless-Liverpool-in-need-of-Robbie-Keane's-arrival.html)over the Keane issue.

As far as i was aware, Robbie hasn't asked for a transfer to Merseyside.

A self-confessed boyhood Liverpool, Keane has been the focus of a bitter public falling out, with White Hart Lane chairman Daniel Levy reporting the Anfield club to the Premier League for an "arrogant" and "disgraceful" pursuit of the striker.

Regardless of the outcome of his complaint, Levy may now believe that Keane's heart is no longer at Tottenham. He said: "When a player's head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence."

[eirebhoy]

Maybe Levy knows something we don't. Well, he obviously knows lots we don't. :)

[newbie]

long time reader,1st time poster...

really hope the keane deals comes off...Barry can rot at Villa Park for all i care. keane would be a great addition to the starting 11,something that Benitez doesnt really seem to sign that often. tending to go for "players with quality to add to the squad".

[endabob1]

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=785104
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=788296


Kuyt and Pennant both praise Keane's ability and declare that he'd be a wonderful addition to their side. A bit unusual that they'd praise a key member of a rival's team if they weren't going to get him don't you think?

Considering it's footballers we're talking about no, they barely know what day of the week it is during summer time.

[John83]

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=785104
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=788296


Kuyt and Pennant both praise Keane's ability and declare that he'd be a wonderful addition to their side. A bit unusual that they'd praise a key member of a rival's team if they weren't going to get him don't you think?
I have two points to make:
1) I used to mod a forum where postings rumours from goal.com is a bannable offence. Bertie Ahern is a more reliable source of information.
2) Those quotes are not placed in context outside of being 'during an interview with a paper' for Pennant and 'speaking to a paper' for Kuyt. What exactly would you expect a player to reply to the question, "Liverpool are rumoured to be singing Robbie Keane. What do you think of him?"

[drinkfeckarse]

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=785104
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=788296


Kuyt and Pennant both praise Keane's ability and declare that he'd be a wonderful addition to their side. A bit unusual that they'd praise a key member of a rival's team if they weren't going to get him don't you think?


No offence Ciaran but that's some of the dumbest logic I've heard in years. They're hardly going to say he's crap are they!

[zenokelly]

Keane was left out of the Spurs squad for a pre-season friendly last night against Hercules FC in Alicante last night even though he was brought on the trip. It was interesting to see that Berbatov started the match.

Ominous signs if you want to see him on his way to Pool'.

[NeilMcD]

Keane was left out of the Spurs squad for a pre-season friendly last night against Hercules FC in Alicante last night even though he was brought on the trip. It was interesting to see that Berbatov started the match.

Ominous signs if you want to see him on his way to Pool'.

Not sure how its ominous if you are of that view, its more ominous if you want to see him stay at Spurs.

[bitored]

According to 2 of today's English papers (via the BBC gossip column) it's a done deal
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hopes to sign Tottenham striker Robbie Keane in time for him to face Rangers on 2 August. (The Sun)

Keane is due to arrive at Anfield next week for a medical before completing his £18m switch. (Daily Mail)

I really hope this works out for Robbie and he doesn't just end up as another Voronin, Bellamy or Morientes

[craig7042]

[QUOTE=bitored;989404]According to 2 of today's English papers (via the BBC gossip column) it's a done deal
I really hope this works out for Robbie and he doesn't just end up as another Voronin, Bellamy or Morientes[/QUOTE


I hope it works well also for him. Have always felt he was a great talent in recent years and took the step up to a higher level of performance especially for Spurs. He took a lot of abuse here at home which was horrific and I feel good for him that Benitez obviously rates him after that abuse. I quote someone behind me leaving Croke Park after the Wales match recently - "Keane should die!" If this move comes about I really hope he proves people like this wrong.

[ramsfan]

great signing for pool if it comes off

[Terry]

hope he doesnt go, can see nothing good about sitting on the bench half the time with the way benitez manages, bad news for Ireland as he wont be as match fit as he is when playing 100% of the games for spurs.

[zenokelly]

Not sure how its ominous if you are of that view, its more ominous if you want to see him stay at Spurs.

You're right, got the clubs jumbled up a bit there.


Terry, I'm sick of listening to people saying that he won't get his game at Anfield, and so on. Do you think that a manager like Benitez who doesn't have unlimited resources would be willing to pay £18m for a player to sit on the bench, and make him his only major signing of the summer?

Imo Keane will be a major part of Benitez's team. Remember that he has creativity that Liverpool are really lacking in.

It's not going to be necessarily a good move for Ireland, but it will be good to see Keano take on the best in Europe in the Champions League!

[OwlsFan]

Pity Crouch is gone. Keane plays well off a big man.

[eirebhoy]

I doubt Torres would be dropped anyway.

[third policeman]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/07/28/robbie-keane-set-to-complete-liverpool-fc-move-100252-21417676/

Robbie is a red:)

[ForzaHoop]

Keane passed Medical with LFC and CLubs have agreed Fee.
Great signing for both parties :ball:

[elroy]

[QUOTE=bitored;98940 He took a lot of abuse here at home which was horrific and I feel good for him that Benitez obviously rates him after that abuse. I quote someone behind me leaving Croke Park after the Wales match recently - "Keane should die!" If this move comes about I really hope he proves people like this wrong.

Very true, Keane IMO is our best ever striker and his record shows that, doesnt get the respect he deserves. Whats the betting that it'll change now???

Great move for him, delighted, really hope it works out for him.

[NeilMcD]

This move does not prove anybody wrong. THey were wrong all along anyway. Keane does not need a move to Liverpool to prove he is a class striker.

[Duggie]

keane is top class and should never be doubted, ever. i never have. gerrard torres and keano living it large. could win the league me thinks finally......

[drinkfeckarse]

Liverpool have been crying out for someone like Keane for the last few years. I'm genuinely excited now about the new season :)

Keane deserves to be playing on the Champions League stage and this move could see him improve even further IMO.

[co. down green]

Looks like a done deal (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/7528735.stm)

A five-year deal worth about £80,000 per week.

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.

[Maroon 7]

I think he'll play his fair share of games. I doubt they would have paid so much for him if Benitez didn't plan to use him. I can see him playing just behind Torres. Crouch didn't play much last season because he could only play in one position. Right up top where Torres is. Keane is more versatile and can play up top or tucked in behind.

[seanfhear]

keane is top class and should never be doubted, ever. i never have. gerrard torres and keano living it large. could win the league me thinks finally......
it will be interesting to see how this trio perform and it would be nice to see a different name on the premier league trophy

[jmurphyc]

If Liverpool stick to their 4-2-3-1 formation from the second half of last season - which is a very real possibility - then he'll probably be playing in the central part of the three behind Torres. It's a role that I've always wished to see him in if those are Benitez's intentions. I think this will be a very good move for Ireland. I'm very happy for Robbie too. Will this be his debut season in the Champions League? I assume he didn't play in it for Leeds or Inter.

[gustavo]

He played in a 3rd round qualifier for Inter , was therefore ineligible to play in it for Leeds the same season , so yes it would be his debut in the competition proper trusting that Liverpool qualify