Robbie Keane returned to pre-season yesterday to find that Tottenham have slapped a £20million price tag on his head to ward off strong interest from Liverpool.
Spurs last week rejected a player-plus-cash deal involving Peter Crouch for Keane, whose desire to move has received high-profile backing from Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Although Spurs are reluctant to sell their top scorer, Sportsmail understands that an offer of Crouch plus around £10m would be given consideration at White Hart Lane.
Keane has informed Spurs officials he wishes to join the club he supported as a boy if a deal can be struck.
But it appears Spurs, like Aston Villa with Gareth Barry, will not countenance the transfer unless Liverpool return with what they consider to be a realistic bid.
Manager Juande Ramos needs to generate funds after spending £30m on Luka Modric, John Bostock, Giovani Dos Santos and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs remain favourites to sign Blackburn midfielder David Bentley while a move for Sevilla's Diego Capel could yet be resurrected despite the Spanish side rejecting a £12.6m bid earlier this week.
The sale of unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov would cover Ramos' outlay thus far, if Spurs were to achieve their asking price.
However, Real Madrid are ready to pull out of the race to sign Berbatov in an attempt to appease Manchester United over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is unlikely Sir Alex Ferguson will agree to the £30m fee Spurs are asking of rival Premiership clubs.
Spurs last week rejected a player-plus-cash deal involving Peter Crouch for Keane, whose desire to move has received high-profile backing from Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni.
Although Spurs are reluctant to sell their top scorer, Sportsmail understands that an offer of Crouch plus around £10m would be given consideration at White Hart Lane.
Keane has informed Spurs officials he wishes to join the club he supported as a boy if a deal can be struck.
But it appears Spurs, like Aston Villa with Gareth Barry, will not countenance the transfer unless Liverpool return with what they consider to be a realistic bid.
Manager Juande Ramos needs to generate funds after spending £30m on Luka Modric, John Bostock, Giovani Dos Santos and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs remain favourites to sign Blackburn midfielder David Bentley while a move for Sevilla's Diego Capel could yet be resurrected despite the Spanish side rejecting a £12.6m bid earlier this week.
The sale of unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov would cover Ramos' outlay thus far, if Spurs were to achieve their asking price.
However, Real Madrid are ready to pull out of the race to sign Berbatov in an attempt to appease Manchester United over their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is unlikely Sir Alex Ferguson will agree to the £30m fee Spurs are asking of rival Premiership clubs.
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