Keane’s summer shopping spree goes on

Roy Keane has shown no signs of slowing down. Surely he has become one of the most active coaches of the off-season. Keane has been quoted as saying, “I know the five or six players we’re looking to bring in the next week or two would excite me in terms of bringing us to the next level. They will all be genuine Premier League class.”

These were not idle words as the Irishman has acted accordingly.

After capturing Pascal Chimbonda and Teemu Tainio from Tottenham he secured Cork City midfielder David Meyler and Irish goalie Nick Colgan.

Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul are yet to complete moves from Spurs but according to press reports seem very likely to join this week and Marseille left back Taye Ismaila Taïwo has also been linked with a switch to the Black Cats.

Now, according to the Daily Mail, Sunderland has completed the signing of striker El-Hadji Diouf from Bolton.

The 27-year-old Senegal international has signed a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light after Sunderland agreed an undisclosed fee with Bolton.

Roy Keane had this to say, “El-Hadji is a great signing for us and we’re thrilled to get him in.”

“He has bags of Premier League and international experience, which is exactly what we’ve been targeting this summer.”

Also, according to the Daily Express, Keane has tabled a £10 million bid for out-of-favor Manchester United striker Louis Saha.

But Keane might have to increase his offer, with Sir Alex Ferguson holding out for £12 million. With star striker Kenwyne Jones out for a major part of the season with a knee injury, Keane could look to a new partnership between Saha and Diouf to provide the goals.

Finally, according to the Daily Mail, Keane is reported to have joined Tottenham coach Juande Ramos in the race for £12 million-rated England international Stewart Downing.

After failing in a bid to lure Celtic youngster Aidan McGeady to the Stadium of Light with a rumoured £2.5million-a-year pay deal, Keane has now turned his attention to the Middlesbrough winger.

Despite being a local lad and signing a five-year deal last season, the 24 year old Downing has been upset by the stick he has repeatedly endured from sections of the crowd. Moreover, the capture of Dutch star Marvin Emnes, who can operate on either flank but highly favors Downing’s left side could fuel the move to Sunderland even more.

What is certain is that Keane is armed with the cash to make both Boro and Downing an offer that could be hard to refuse as evidenced by his own words.

“The higher the quality of the player, the higher the wage packet, so it’s a test for the club on that side of it because we have to be able to pay the sort of wages needed to get top Premier League stars.”

[Source: Daily Express, Daily Mail]