Robbie Keane would run riot in the Chinese Super League, but could he be heading for Lancashire?
The former Republic of Ireland captain was brilliant for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer for five years. He won the MLS Cup three times during his time in the United States and was named the league’s MVP in 2014.
Keane scored 104 goals in 165 games. His skill, intelligent movement and experience proved too much for the rookie American defenders. He may be 36-years-old, but the Dubliner would arguably make equally light work of the defenders in China.
How do you think he would fare in a Championship play-off battle, alongside the likes of Aiden McGeady and Daryl Horgan?
But if you get one wrong, the quiz ends https://t.co/B5fveMsTia
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 18, 2017
Earlier this week Keane was asked about his next move and did not rule out a move to China if they offer Chinese Super League money.
“If they gave the money Diego Costa was offered, I’d walk there now!” Keane joked during an interview with talkSPORT on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s very hard for the player (to turn down a move to the Chinese Super League),” the former Tottenham Hotspur striker continued.
“If you’re getting offered 400,000 a week, what do you do?”
The Republic of Ireland’s record goalscorer said he has yet to receive an offer from China, but he does have several offers on the table.
“I’ve got a few offers in England and from abroad as well,” Keane said.
“I’ve had to knock back a couple which were maybe a bit too far away. There’s been a few offers from championship teams, but I don’t want to mention too much. That wouldn’t be fair to them.”
Where next for the Irish legend? https://t.co/JCffPBp68T
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 17, 2017
Keane played down any links with Leeds United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, two of his many former clubs, and made no mention of a reported offer from Preston North End.
“I’ve had a lot of people asking me about coming back to Leeds and Wolves,” Keane said.
“And they’re great clubs I’ve played for, but you can’t go somewhere if people actually don’t offer you anything
“Until it’s actually in writing to me I can’t comment much on it, but I definitely haven’t heard from Leeds or Wolves.
“I’m back home in Dublin and training quite hard at the moment, so watch this space in the next couple of weeks and we’ll see what happens.”
Well, on Friday, Preston boss Simon Grayson added fuel to the flames, by refusing to rule out a bid for the former Ireland captain.
“I’m not going to dismiss it, but I’m not going to say that the interest is full on,” he told BBC Radio.
“If Robbie Keane is available then he is a player that is going to attract a lot of interest from a lot of clubs.
“Would we be interested? I’m sure every club in the Championship would be looking forward to an opportunity speak to him.”
In fairness, if Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were available Grayson would not rule them out. The problem for Preston is they have one of the lowest wage bills in the Championship and, wherever he goes, Keane is not going to go cheap.
