Sunderland FC

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• Manager:Steve Bruce

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Keane closes in on Spurs stars

23 Jul 2008 - 16:03:23

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Sunderland manager Roy Keane remains confident that he will be able to land Tottenham quartet Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque and Younes Kaboul in a combined £23million transfer.

Both Chimbonda and Tainio have reportedly travelled to Wearside for their medicals, but Keane hopes all four players will have signed on the dotted line before the weekend.

The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder said: "I'm very hopeful but I wouldn't get bogged down by the need for it to be done immediately.

"Hopefully we'll have things in place by the weekend.

"I've been told that progress is being made. We're also in discussions regarding fees for one or two other players and that will be the case over the next two or three days.

"I'd hope the Tottenham deals would be done by the weekend and, with the other couple of deals, I think we might have to be patient, possibly next week.

"We have friendlies with Cobh, Nottingham Forest and Ajax next week and I'd like to have new faces for those."

Meanwhile, Tainio has said of a possible transfer to the Black Cats: "Of course it's flattering that such a legend as Roy Keane would like me to play in his team.

"Sunderland and Tottenham have agreed to the transfer and Sunderland would be an interesting option.

"The first impression was good but the transfer still has a course to run. My negotiations are still taking place."