Keane close to becoming Real’s new Galactico
The publication claims that the 34-year-old midfielder had a medical in Britain on Saturday.
Real were thought to be in pole position to sign Keane, although the sacking of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo had cast some doubt over the move.
Keane’s representative Michael Kennedy was unavailable for comment yesterday. Marca said the path was now clear for Keane to join Real following a decision by the club’s financial division to sanction the funds for wages.
Keane potential move to Real Madrid could be assisted by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro’s intention to “build the best team in the world.”
Real have struggled to replace holding midfielder Claude Makelele - who was discarded after asking for earning parity with the other Galacticos at the club - and recent signings Thomas Gravesen and Pablo Garcia have not provided the inspiration they need.
Keane, at 34 years old, will also surely be no more than a stop-gap at Madrid, although with the team struggling for form and lacking a natural leader his impact would be welcome by the stand-in coach.
“I have a great responsibility, it’s not just about me as a person, I have to demonstrate that I’m competent, and fulfil the commitment I have to the fans,” said Lopez Caro. “I want to enjoy my time along with them and make it clear that the team will play for their lives and deliver results. We want to build the best team in the world.”
Lopez Caro is confident of turning their La Liga campaign around, given the quality in the squad.
“I have the footballers I need in order to do anything I want. We have abundant resources, as long as they live up to the expectations that are placed on them, and that they are in tune with my scheme.”
Signing Keane would unite the midfielder with former Old Trafford colleague Beckham, who understands the inspirational effect Keane has.
“The players responded in every game he asked us to,” Beckham said when Keane left United.
“Every player that plays with him can never speak high enough of him and everyone who has played against him has something to say and the majority of the time it is good. He is a player who will lead from the front, get a team going. He is also a player who will tell you when you have done something wrong and something right. You know where you stand with him, he’ll tell you in his own special way.”
Bolton and Everton are the only English clubs still in the frame for Keane, with Trotters chairman Phil Gartside set to present a formal offer to the player’s representatives.
“The chairman will contact Keane’s representatives in the next couple of days with our offer,” said manager Sam Allardyce. “I think the key is his representatives wanting to receive all the offers before he makes his mind up. For him it is about January 1, and making the right decision for him and his family.”
Allardyce hopes Keane wants to stay near Manchester, which would make the Reebok Stadium an attractive destination. “We hope, as do others, that is the case,” he added. “We just have to wait and see.”
Everton manager David Moyes also publicly confirmed his interest in signing Keane. “I think about 10 clubs have registered their interest in him and we are one of those.
“I hope we have a chance of getting him but I don’t want to say too much because it’s Roy’s decision at the end of the day and we have to respect that. Whatever he chooses will be fine by me, but obviously I’d be delighted if he decided to come and play for us.”
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