RECORD DEAL ... Louis Saha to be the
biggest earner in Sunderland ’s history on £50,000 a
week.
Sunderland boss Keano will make the out-of-favour Old
Trafford star the biggest earner in the club’s history on £50,000 a
week. Saha, 30, was at the Stadium of Light to see the Black Cats’
1-0 pre-season defeat by Ajax.
Keane is desperate to add firepower to his squad after
last season’s brush with relegation. He has splashed £20m on six
summer signings already but admitted: “Hopefully there will be two
or three players coming on board before the transfer window
closes.
“At the end of last season I thought we needed another
top striker at the club and I’ve not changed that view because
you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net.” New hitman
El-Hadji Diouf — signed from Bolton — also stressed the need for
the frontline to toughen up. He said: “I’ve told the lads we need
to be more aggressive and play more attacking football and go at
teams. “We don’t have to fear anyone or have respect for anyone —
we need to believe in ourselves.”
Keane is also trying to hijack defender Nicky Shorey’s
move to Portsmouth. He was poised to become Pompey’s fourth summer
signing if a fee was agreed with Reading. Fratton Park manager
Harry Redknapp has already had one bid rejected and if the deal
collapses Keane is ready to pounce with a £3m offer for the England
left-back.
Reading chief Steve Coppell warned: “We do not need to
sell anyone so I am not going to give anyone away. “The offer we
have had is not one that we find acceptable. I have spoken to Nicky
and he accepts the situation.”
