A-League: Wanderers favoured to snare Keane signature

Western Sydney have emerged as favourites to secure the signature of former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool striker Robbie Keane.

Ireland veteran Robbie Keane is in the sights of Western Sydney.

Western Sydney have emerged as favourites to secure the signature of former Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool striker Robbie Keane.

It is understood the Wanderers have been in touch with the management of the 36-year-old striker and are planning to send officials to Los Angeles some time next week to hold face-to-face discussions.

Brisbane Roar are also reportedly looking at the former Republic of Ireland international. Football Federation Australia have been informed of interest in the Irishman and would likely provide financial assistance under its centralised guest marquee player fund to help a club lure him to the A-League.

Western Sydney and Brisbane meet at Spotless Stadium tonight.

Following on from a report on Wednesday night in the Irish Sun newspaper, which linked Keane to the Wanderers, coach Tony Popovic confirmed yesterday that he is the type of player the club would seriously look at.

“We are always open to improving our squad, our team, whether it is a marquee or under the salary cap because we have room to move there in the January window,’’ Popovic said.

“We want to be challenging for the title in the second half of the season and we also have the Asian Champions League in mind.

“It’s hard not to look at him (Keane). He’s had a fantastic career. He’s a great player and is still scoring goals.’’

The Wanderers have struggled up front this season. They came up empty-handed during a tour of South America in pre-season and settled for former Wanderers attacker Kerem Bulut, who returned after a stint in Greece. But Bulut has yet to score in the A-League this season.

Keane recently finished a five-year, 125-game stint with LA Galaxy in the MLS, scoring a phenomenal 83 goals to go with the 160 he scored during his club career in Europe and 68 for his country.

He is certain to attract interest from Europe or the Middle East.

Brisbane certainly could make a move for Keane in light of dramas surrounding their Socceroo striker Jamie Maclaren. His management described a recent Roar contract upgrade as “disrespectful’’.

“It is a disgusting offer. Jamie is one of the best strikers in the country but is also the lowest paid,’’ agent Paddy Dominguez said.

Brisbane coach John Aloisi, who played with Keane at Coventry in the EPL, said he had not spoken to Roar’s owners about the striker though the club’s managing director Mark Kingsman indicated they would “make the call’’.