Bruce Puts Keane Talk To Bed

Last updated : 06 January 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

Weekend newspaper and radio reports claimed the Blues boss had made an estimated £6million bid for the Republic of Ireland international striker but Bruce has scoffed at these reports claiming that Blues could not afford either the transfer fee or the wages that Keane would command.

"I spoke to David Pleat about many of his players at Tottenham and this Robbie Keane things come up," said Bruce.

"It went nationwide in the press but we know that he is far too much money for us and his wages would be far too high."

The Blues boss has said he is more interested in tying up a deal with Chelsea to turn the loan signing of Mikael Forssel into a permanent deal although it is likely to be in the summer before that deal may be concluded.