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Keane on list of possible signings, say Real
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-13 10:55
The battle-weary Irishman is a shadow of the uncompromising player who
inspired United to seven league titles after joining from Nottingham Forest in
1993.
He has not played a competitive game since breaking a bone in his foot
against Liverpool in September and is hardly likely to walk straight into the
Real Madrid starting lineup after over three months on the sidelines.
His signing would dramatically raise the average age of a Real midfield that
already includes 30-year-old Beckham and 33-year-old Zinedine Zidane.
Real are not even short of central midfielders at the moment, with new
signing Pablo Garcia, Thomas Gravesen, Guti and the versatile Ramos competing
for places.
Given the characteristics of his game, Keane is likely to find it difficult
to adapt to the lower levels of contact allowed in Spanish football and the
different interpretation of the laws by referees.
Keane, who has also been approached by Celtic, Middlesbrough and Everton,
would not be able to play in Europe after appearing for United in a Champions
League qualifier against Debrecen in August.
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