Tottenham are set to rival Aston Villa in the race to make Robbie Keane the most expensive teenager in English football.

Wolves' Republic of Ireland striker has already been the subject of a rejected £5 million bid from Villa, who will step up their interest in the 19-year-old when they return tonight from New York.

But now Spurs, who play a friendly against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, have declared an interest and are pondering the possibility of a rival bid.

Wolves are sticking to their £6 million asking price - the figure over which they came to agreement with Middlesbrough only for the player to say no to the move.

Wolves manager Colin Lee confirmed that Spurs have made fresh inquiries about Keane. But he and managing director John Richards have both said the player will not be sold on the cheap. "Nothing has changed as far as we are concerned," said Lee. Lee missed his side's friendly win at Cheltenham on Saturday to watch Ade Akinbiyi, his top target if Keane should leave, play in Bristol City's home win over Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Slaven Bilic's return to West Ham could be sorted out before the Londoners embark on the next stage of their InterToto Cup tomorrow. The Everton defender has opened negotiations with Hammers boss Harry Redknapp over what is likely to be a free transfer from Goodison Park back to the club he left for £4.5 million two years ago.

Bilic is leaving Everton so that Walter Smith can slash the club's wage bill and give himself a chance of signing Benfica's out of favour Welsh international Mark Pembridge.

Aberdeen have pulled the plug on their bid to sign Alan Kelly after the Sheffield United goalkeeper failed to appear for talks.

The Republic of Ireland international was due at Pittodrie yesterday to open discussions with the Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl and chairman Stewart Milne.

But Kelly failed to turn up and an angry Milne contacted the 30-year-old Bramall Lane number one and told him not to bother catching a flight north.