Cats keane to tie up Steed

Jul 13 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

SUNDERLAND are set to make a shock move for Tottenham midfielder Steed Malbranque.

Although Roy Keane has hit problems in his bid for Spurs striker Darren Bent, team-mate Malbranque has also caught the Black Cats boss’s eye.

The 28-year-old Belgian-born Frenchman’s first-team prospects at Tottenham have been hit by this summer’s arrivals of Luka Modric and Giovani dos Santos and their pursuit of Andrei Arshavin.

And an offer of around £4 million could persuade Spurs manager Juande Ramos to do business.

Meanwhile, Romanian star Dorin Goian is desperate for his move to Sunderland from Steaua Bucharest to go through.

The transfer is being held up while Steaua investigate whether they can recoup VAT from the deal.

Goian is also wanted by Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, but agent Peter Harrison said: “He would love to play for Sunderland. He knows all about Roy Keane from his playing days and has great respect for him, and he admires the way he has taken to management at Sunderland.

“Dorin is desperate for the deal to go through . . . he really hopes Sunderland and Steaua can reach an agreement.”

Sunderland have secured one signing — teenage Australian striker Matt Fletcher.

The 16-year-old, who plays for Manly United in state football in New South Wales, has signed a three-year deal after impressing on trial.