SOCCER:Roy Keane yesterday called on anxious Sunderland fans to "chill out and relax" over the club's summer transfer policy.
"Three or four" new players may arrive at Wearside in the next week, he said, and the manager looked forward to the opening-day fixture at the Stadium of Light with optimism: "No, I have never had any fear facing Tottenham."
Keane was responding to a question about trepidation over meeting a club who have bought Darren Bent for €25 million.
His answer came with a smile and Keane was upbeat about new signings at Sunderland, though he accepted many fans are less so.
And they are unlikely to be reassured by reports of Michael Chopra's apparent appearance on Keane's radar.
Chopra scored both Cardiff City goals in a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light last October, but Sunderland fans remember the 23-year-old more ruefully for the equaliser on the same ground for Newcastle United seven months earlier.
"The fans, everyone, should just chill out and relax," Keane said. "Let me do my job; that is what I am paid very well to do.
"Everyone is getting worried about this and that, but you can't go on what other clubs have got. You have to look at what we've got and we've got a great foundation to go and have a great season. I know we have to strengthen the squad, I am well aware of that."
Keane spoke of the difficulties of attracting players to the north-east of England but said he would have "no problem" spending €15 million or €30 million on a big-name signing.
But he then asked: "What's a big name? Flo was a big name who came for £8 million here and that didn't work out, so, for me, it is part of the challenge. I have no problem spending the money, but not just to grab the headlines and appease a few fans for a few days."
To date Keane has signed Greg Halford from Reading and Russell Anderson from Aberdeen, both defenders. They are likely to be joined by two more, Southampton's Chris Baird and possibly by Wigan's Leighton Baines.
A €7.5-million bid for the Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was reportedly rejected last night.
Keane said he was looking for new recruits "all over the pitch" but dismissed the idea that his former Manchester United colleague Paul Scholes would be one of them. Kieran Richardson is a rather more likely target.
"Going into the new season, there are question marks over all of us - the players, the staff, myself," Keane added.
"It is a challenge for all of us. Maybe we all got very lucky last season, so it's a big test ahead: can we maintain what we did last season, week in, week out? It's a massive challenge for the players, for myself coming up against the top managers, but listen, that's what I'm in the game for."
Liverpool, meanwhile, have agreed a fee with West Ham for midfielder Yossi Benayoun, according to the player's agent Ronen Katzav. The 27-year-old Israeli has been a target of Rafael Benitez for some weeks.
Liverpool and Ajax are set to strike a deal for talented forward Ryan Babel in the coming days according to the Dutch club - but only if the Merseysiders meet their €20-million asking price.
The Ajax technical director, Martin van Geel, admitted talks had taken place but said no fee had been agreed.
Babel, who starred for Holland in the recent Under-21 European Championships, admitted it was "very nice" that Liverpool had expressed an interest in him.
His agent, Winnie Haatrecht, issued a note of caution, however, stating they would consider only a move that would benefit his client in playing terms.
Chelsea have confirmed their long-anticipated capture of France winger Florent Malouda. The 27-year-old passed a medical on Monday and has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed an undisclosed fee with French champions Lyon.
Khalid Boulahrouz will not join him on pre-season tour in America as discussions continue over a move from Stamford Bridge. Boulahrouz was brought to the club last summer for around €10 million but has been out of favour and made just four appearances after the turn of the year. Sevilla are among the clubs interested in the Dutch defender.
AC Milan received the most money from last season's Champions League, earning just under €40 million on the way to winning European soccer's top club competition for the seventh time, Uefa said yesterday.
Administrators KPMG are believed to be locked in talks with the Football League and the inland revenue in their bid to sell Leeds. United's new owners were expected to be revealed yesterday, but long-suffering fans remain in the dark as to who will win the race to take control at Elland Road.
KPMG confirmed they were still evaluating the offers submitted by those interested parties who had shown proof of funds by yesterday's noon deadline.
It is now expected KPMG will announce today who will take the club forward.
