Keane move to spark a number of deals

ROBBIE KEANE is set to be the central figure of the transfer window’s final day in England with the 29-year-old Irishman weighing up a move to Sunderland that would pave the way for a number of other high-profile moves.

Spurs are widely reported to have accepted an offer of around €10 million for the Republic of Ireland captain from the Wearside outfit over the weekend but it was still far from clear last night whether the Dubliner will be prepared to relocate to the north east.

Rumours persist that Celtic might somehow rustle up the money to pay his wages or West Ham might allow him to defer a decision about his long-term future until the summer by signing him on loan until the end of the season.

Keane, who again had to settle for an appearance from the bench in Saturday’s draw with Birmingham as Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe continued their partnership up front, is likely to be hoping that his options improve over the course of today.

However, the likes of Aston Villa still potentially offer a more palatable Plan C to a player whose future at White Hart Lane looks all the more bleak in the wake of Eidur Gudjohnson’s arrival but who may not fancy life in the less glamorous regions of the league with Sunderland.

If he does go to the Stadium of Light then Kenwyne Jones is expected to complete his switch to Anfield while that, in turn, would facilitate Ryan Babel’s departure for Birmingham, who also remain keen on Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Stephen Hunt could also be the subject of a last-ditch fourth bid by Mick McCarthy with the Irish winger having underlined his worth with a strong performance and goal in Hull’s game against Wolves over the weekend.

“I’ve watched him play for Ireland as well and have never seen him play any other way than he did,” said McCarthy afterwards. “He’s a very good player but he is also a Hull player.”

Hull manager Phil Brown insists Hunt will be staying one: “The chairman has just had a word with me and I am very confident Stephen Hunt will still be a Hull player (when City play Chelsea tomorrow).”