Transfer news: West Ham have agreed a deal to sign Tottenham striker Robbie Keane on loan until the end of the season. The Republic of Ireland captain was at Upton Park on Sunday to see fellow frontman Victor Obinna score a hat-trick as the Hammers beat Nottingham Forest 3-2.
West Ham are thought to have agreed a deal which takes Keane initially on loan until the end of the season with a view to a €7.5 million three-year-deal. That could depend on whether West Ham escape relegation, but Keane believes that target is achievable.
"I'm just happy to get back playing football again, it's frustrating sitting on the bench," said Keane. "It's a fantastic club with great tradition. They're not in the best position at the moment but I'm hopefully here to help the squad.
"If you look at how close it is you get a couple of results you move swiftly up the table."
West Ham co-owner David Gold told BBC Sport: "We're delighted to sign a world-class striker.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy drives a hard bargain but we've got our man."
Manager Avram Grant added: "He (Keane) is not just a good player, he is a good character that we need in the next 14 games."
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, meanwhile, is adamant that Gareth Baleis going nowhere, despite interest reportedly in the region of €45 million from Inter Milan. Aston Villa have been linked with a move for midfielder Jermain Jenas.
Reports have also suggested Tottenham could make a €30 million swoop for Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will be hoping to hang on to 22-year-old striker Andy Carrollafter having received a reported €25 million bid from Tottenham.
Spurs have been tracking Carroll for some time despite Newcastle manager Alan Pardew having repeatedly insisted he is not for sale.
Carroll has missed the club’s last five games with a torn thigh muscle and he travelled to Sweden on Friday to consult a specialist.
Pardew has already ruled him out of Wednesday night’s trip to Fulham and admits he is touch and go for Arsenal’s visit to Tyneside three days later.
Chelseaare poised to make a renewed bid for Fernando Torresin the last frantic hours of a January transfer window, with the BBC reporting Liverpoolare demanding a €58 million (£50m) offer from the Londoners, or marginally less with Nicolas Anelka included in the deal.
The Stamford Bridge club were rebuffed when they made a €40 million bid for the Spanish striker on Friday after Torres had handed in a transfer request.
That came just hours after Liverpool had agreed a deal, understood to be around €26.5 million, with Ajax for Uruguay forward Luis Suarez.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on the Torres situation after his side’s 1-1 draw against Everton in the FA Cup as speculation grew that
Chelsea were set to increase their offer and possibly even throw in striker Nicolas Anelka to sweeten the deal.
Ancelotti said: “We will have to wait.”
Liverpool have told Torres they expect him to honour his long-term contract and they see him in a striking partnership with Suarez. However,
the club’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group, might yet be persuaded by an inflated bid which would smash the British transfer record, rather than keep a disaffected player.
Blackpoolplaymaker Charlie Adamremains on Liverpool's wanted list with Blackpool boss Ian Holloway attempting to crank up the fee, a second Anfield bid currently stands at around €8 million. Reports have also linked Manchester United with a possible late bid for Adam.
The transfer window closes at 11pm tomorrow.
So far the stand-out deals have involved strikers, Edin Dzekomoving from Wolfsburgto Manchester Cityfor a fee thought to be nearly €30 million and Darren Bentfrom Sunderland to Aston Villafor an €21 million fee which could rise to €28 million.
Deals which could still be done involve Birmingham, who are closing in on former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martinsfrom Rubin Kazanwhile boss Alex McLeish has also confirmed Racing Santanderhave enquired about re-signing Nikola Zigic.
Aston Villaare also thought to be close to bringing in United States midfielder Michael Bradleyon loan. Bradley is currently with Borussia Monchengladbachand is the son of USA national coach Bob Bradley, who was linked with the Villa job after Martin O'Neill left the club.
