A-League: Western Sydney interested in signing Robbie Keane

Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic confirms interest in signing Irish striker Robbie Keane to the A-League club.

Ireland's Robbie Keane celebrates at the end of the Euro Group E soccer match against Italy in France in June. Picture: AP

Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic has confirmed interest in signing Irish striker Robbie Keane to the A-League club.

Both the Wanderers and Brisbane have been linked to a pursuit of Keane since the former Tottenham, Liverpool and Ireland star announced he’ll be leaving MLS franchise LA Galaxy after six seasons.

Robbie Keane playing for the Galaxy in September. Picture: Getty Images

The 36-year-old is yet to decide where his future lies and other clubs have already signalled their interest including his Dublin hometown team Shamrock Rovers.

But it’s believed the Wanderers are seriously weighing up a marquee offer, in what would be a major coup for the A-League.

“He’s certainly a player it’s hard not to have a look at,” Popovic said. “I’m sure there are several that are being mentioned and there are more than several that have been put on our desk, but obviously Robbie is the one everyone is talking about at the moment.

“He’s had a fantastic career, he’s a great player and still scoring goals, so he’s certainly a player we’d have a look at.”

The Roar loom as Western Sydney’s stiffest competition for Keane, should he be interested, with managing director Mark Kingsman saying they’ll make a tilt. But coach John Aloisi was more vague, insisting he’d heard nothing about it and pointing out that he hadn’t spoken to his former Coventry City teammate in 15 years.

“I know Mark, our managing director, has mentioned it in the media but as a football department or the owners, I haven’t spoken to the owners about any marquee player,” Aloisi said.

“They’re the ones who will decide if we’re allowed to get a guest marquee player, and then we’ll decide if it’s good for our team.”

AAP