£18m Robbie Keane bound for Liverpool

Robbie Keane's £18m move to Liverpool moved ever closer after the Irish international was left out of the Spurs squad for a friendly in Spain. The player is not known to be injured, so his absence from the Spurs line-up against Hercules in Alicante has been read as Juande Ramos admitting that he cannot keep the club's vice-captain at the north London club against his wishes. Liverpool will look to wrap up the move over the next few days and the player, who was a fan of the club as a boy, will fill the striking hole left by the departure of Peter Crouch for Portsmouth. The deal appears to suggest that Gareth Barry's move to Anfield may be off, as Rafa Benitez has limited funds for transfers and without the sale of Xavi Alonso to Juventus, he is at the end of his funds. (Times: 25/07/08)

TRANSFER TALK: SPECULATION

FIRST POSTED JULY 25, 2008