Birmingham backtrack on Keane

Premier League club Birmingham City have confirmed they have given up the chase for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane.

Keane was linked with a four-million-pound move to St Andrew’s last week that could have risen to six million pounds, with reports suggesting the deal was only a matter of time from being sealed.

But Birmingham have since cooled their interest and confirmed on Monday that they are no longer interested in the forward.

“I met with Alex and Paul today to discuss some new targets – names that we will not be mentioning at this moment in time – as we have decided that the signing of Keane would not be in the best financial interests of the club,” Birmingham City’s acting chairman Peter Pannu said in a statement.

“Everyone knows he is a tremendous player but having considered the overall package (one which certainly wasn’t unfair on the part of his representatives to ask for given his talent and experience), Keane’s age and the length of contract we felt that financially he wasn’t the best option available.”

“This is unfortunate because Keane is a class act but supporters can rest assured we are considering other options and will pursue them where financially viable.”

Keane has started only two Premier League matches for Tottenham this season and is still expected to move on in the January transfer window, with West Ham the most likely destination.