Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has told the club's management that he wants to leave after hearing of Liverpool's interest in signing him.
Keane, the club's vice-captain and a popular figure with both players and the fans, was the subject of an initial inquiry last week, with Rafael Benitez offering a player plus cash deal of Peter Crouch and £5 million.
The club rebuffed the offer, but Benitez will be encouraged by Keane's eagerness to join the club he supported as a boy.
The Republic of Ireland international also has a strong friendship with both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and is enthused at the prospect of being involved in the Champions League.
Tottenahm value the 27-year-old at £20 million, a figure Liverpool believe they had reached as they have priced Crouch at £15 million, despite the highest bid received to date coming from Portsmouth at £9 million.
Tottenham are taking Portsmouth's bid as the market value of Crouch and so Benitez will have to increase the cash element of the deal before they will do business.
A further complication arises from the fact that Crouch, who has now conceded his future lies away from Anfield, favours a return to one of his former clubs, Portsmouth, rather than moving to London.
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos would be reluctant to lose one of his most consistent performers, especially at a time when he is trying to offload £17 million flop Darren Bent and the future of Dimitar Berbatov remains clouded in uncertainty.
Keane scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and has been an integral part of the side since signing from Leeds United for £7 million six years ago.
Should Keane leave, Ramos would have to buy a completely new front line for next season, though with considerable funds to chase long term-targets David Villa and Lukas Podolski.
Liverpool are locked in a protracted round of negotiations with Aston Villa over Gareth Barry and have limited funds to rush things through.
Tottenham do not need to sell before they can buy this summer as Ramos continues to overhaul the squad he inherited mid-way through last season.
However, Keane's head has been turned by Liverpool's interest and forcing him to remain at the club after he has expressed a firm desire to leave is seen as counter productive by Ramos.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that Manchester United are interested in making just a single, major signing this summer has raised once more the possibility that Berbatov could, at the third time of asking, be lured to Old Trafford.
Twice before, most recently last summer, Ferguson has inquired about the Bulgarian's availability only to be told by Tottenham that he is not for sale.
Tottenham value Berbatov at £30 million whilst United are willing to pay around £23 million and will not be forced to pay over the odds despite having money available to spend.
Asked about his transfer plans, Ferguson said: "There could be some dialogue, but I wouldn't think any more than one player. People think it's easy to buy players nowadays but it's not - money plays a big part.
"Clubs with ambition don't want to sell their best players so it's not as easy as you think."
Keane, the club's vice-captain and a popular figure with both players and the fans, was the subject of an initial inquiry last week, with Rafael Benitez offering a player plus cash deal of Peter Crouch and £5 million.
The club rebuffed the offer, but Benitez will be encouraged by Keane's eagerness to join the club he supported as a boy.
The Republic of Ireland international also has a strong friendship with both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and is enthused at the prospect of being involved in the Champions League.
Tottenahm value the 27-year-old at £20 million, a figure Liverpool believe they had reached as they have priced Crouch at £15 million, despite the highest bid received to date coming from Portsmouth at £9 million.
Tottenham are taking Portsmouth's bid as the market value of Crouch and so Benitez will have to increase the cash element of the deal before they will do business.
A further complication arises from the fact that Crouch, who has now conceded his future lies away from Anfield, favours a return to one of his former clubs, Portsmouth, rather than moving to London.
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos would be reluctant to lose one of his most consistent performers, especially at a time when he is trying to offload £17 million flop Darren Bent and the future of Dimitar Berbatov remains clouded in uncertainty.
Keane scored 24 goals in all competitions last season and has been an integral part of the side since signing from Leeds United for £7 million six years ago.
Should Keane leave, Ramos would have to buy a completely new front line for next season, though with considerable funds to chase long term-targets David Villa and Lukas Podolski.
Liverpool are locked in a protracted round of negotiations with Aston Villa over Gareth Barry and have limited funds to rush things through.
Tottenham do not need to sell before they can buy this summer as Ramos continues to overhaul the squad he inherited mid-way through last season.
However, Keane's head has been turned by Liverpool's interest and forcing him to remain at the club after he has expressed a firm desire to leave is seen as counter productive by Ramos.
Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that Manchester United are interested in making just a single, major signing this summer has raised once more the possibility that Berbatov could, at the third time of asking, be lured to Old Trafford.
Twice before, most recently last summer, Ferguson has inquired about the Bulgarian's availability only to be told by Tottenham that he is not for sale.
Tottenham value Berbatov at £30 million whilst United are willing to pay around £23 million and will not be forced to pay over the odds despite having money available to spend.
Asked about his transfer plans, Ferguson said: "There could be some dialogue, but I wouldn't think any more than one player. People think it's easy to buy players nowadays but it's not - money plays a big part.
"Clubs with ambition don't want to sell their best players so it's not as easy as you think."
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