Benitez Keane on Spurs striker
Thursday, 10 Jul 2008 16:20
Rafael Benitez admits contact with Spurs over Robbie Keane
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted having contact with
Tottenham Hotspur over signing striker Robbie Keane.
The Irish international, 28, was rumoured to be on the Reds' summer shopping list once it emerged Peter Crouch was due to leave in order to sign for
Portsmouth.
And Benitez has confirmed he has already been in touch with Spurs to determine if they would be willing to part with Keane, who the Spaniard believes would make a good foil for first-choice striker Fernando Torres.
"Keane is one of the names [on our list] and OK we are still working with other names," he said.
"We were in contact and we will see now."
Benitez was also linked with a move for Valencia striker David Villa after his Golden Boot-winning performance at Euro 2008.
Villa finished as top scorer with four goals in the competition and has already hinted he wishes to leave his current club.
But the Reds boss has ruled out a move, suggesting he has been priced out of the market.
"I said the other day that he is one of the names we had on our list, but I can say at this moment that it is not an option for us," Benitez added.
"We know Villa is a very good player, we know the price and we know the players we have.
"So when you consider everything we decided he was one of the names but, at this moment, not our target."