SOCCER: Any chance of an escape to Italy for Roy Keane appears to have dissolved after Juventus and Roma ruled themselves out of the running to sign the former Manchester United captain. The 34-year-old left Old Trafford by mutual consent last Friday and is free to sign for any club.
But Juventus general director Luciano Moggi, when asked about his club's reported interest in Keane, said: "The Juventus team is already strong as it is."
It is especially strong in midfield, and while Juve are one of the few clubs that could meet Keane's wage demands, they would find it difficult to give him time on the pitch.
The defending Serie A champions bolstered their squad in the summer with the signing of Patrick Vieira, one of Keane's bitter rivals in the English Premiership during his nine years at Arsenal.
Brazilian Emerson is also one of the midfield lynchpins in their squad.
Roma have also ruled themselves out of the running, in even more categorical terms than Juve.
A club official said: "We have never been in contact with Roy Keane or his agent because he is a player that doesn't interest us, not now or in the future."
Closer to Keane's home, Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce did not rule out trying to set up a cross-city switch for the player.
"I think this club would like to be associated with good players and Roy Keane falls into that category," said Pearce, who spent three years with the tough-tackling midfielder at Nottingham Forest in the 1990s.
"Every club in the world at the moment has their name attached to Roy Keane. I think the fact we are in a city where he lives and works means we might be attached as well.
"We are certainly looking at players who might improve our team. We always are and always will be and Roy is a good player, one who can improve our team."
Celtic would seem a good fit for Keane, though chief executive Brian Quinn has pointed out he would need to take a severe cut in wages for the Parkhead club to afford him.
"There are two separate issues," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "One is a footballing issue, whether Roy would fit into Gordon (Strachan's) plans and the formation, because the team is playing very well just now and is very settled.
"The other is the business side, and we would have to wait and see what is proposed.
"We have heard nothing from Roy Keane, nothing from his representatives, and until you see what the proposal is, it is premature to offer a view on that."
Bryan Robson re-affirmed his desire to bring former team-mate Keane to West Brom.
"I have tried to phone Roy but all I kept getting was his answer machine," Robson said. "If he wants to come to West Brom, I will try to make it happen with the chairman."
