Soccer:Birmingham City have confirmed they are in negotiations with Tottenham as they stepped up their efforts to take Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane to St Andrew's. Keane has barely featured for Spurs this season and has been told he can leave by manager Harry Redknapp.

Keane has slipped down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and is desperate to play regular first team football. He has also recently been linked with a move to relegation-threatened West Ham although no concrete movements have been forthcoming.

Birmingham’s lack of goal power has been the main reason why they have been locked in a survival battle during the first half of the season. Midfielder Craig Gardner is the top scorer with just five goals and manager Alex McLeish has become frustrated at his side’s inability to convert their chances.

Any move for Keane is likely to cost the midlands club some €8.2 million.

Keane spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic but Redknapp has said that he would not be prepared to allow Keane leave on loan again, preferring to make any move permanent.

“Robbie needs to play. He can play at the top level. A loan wouldn’t be an option for Robbie now, it would need to be a permanent move,” Redknapp said yesterday. “If they are happy to stay here then I am happy to keep them but I just get the feeling that they want to get out and play some football.”