SUNDERLAND'S AMBITIOUS effort to recruit four members of the Tottenham Hotspur playing staff for an eye-watering fee of €29 million ran into immediate difficulties yesterday when the agent of Younes Kaboul treated Sunderland's approach as if it were some kind of insult and Pascal Chimbonda allegedly threw a hissy fit on hearing of Spurs' agreement with Wearside and demanded to go to Everton.
This could be a blessing in disguise for Sunderland. Kaboul is no Bobby Moore, despite his high price and his agent's opinion, and the prospect of Chimbonda and Roy Keane building a lasting relationship seemed unlikely at best.
Kaboul's agent was adamant the centre half and Keane would not even get to first base.
"Younes wouldn't join Sunderland even if there was an earthquake," said Rudy Raba, who added he meant "no disrespect" by that comment.
"We have more interesting options than Sunderland, don't even think about it," Raba continued. "I can tell you for sure that he's going to stay in England next season. At Portsmouth, for example, you are more watched and you have France international Lassana Diarra playing there. Of course he would prefer to have his chance at Tottenham rather than moving to Sunderland."
That left Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio. Malbranque would be a good creative addition to Keane's squad, though the Belgian-born Frenchman was reluctant to leave London a couple of years ago when linked to Sunderland's neighbours Newcastle. But at 28, Malbranque must see he has no future at White Hart Lane and Keane should be able to persuade him to travel to Wearside for talks.
Tainio, also 28, is believed to be willing to open negotiations about a transfer north.
That is where Keane remained yesterday. He had been scheduled to travel with the Sunderland squad to their pre-season tournament in Lisbon but transfer matters have obviously reached a crucial point. For more than peace of mind, Keane and the club need a breakthrough soon.
Although the name of West Ham's George McCartney has not featured prominently for a week or so it appears his potential return to Wearside remains on.
McCartney left following relegation two summers ago and is settled in London. But the thought of Sunderland is believed to be interesting the 27-year-old Belfastman and if the original offer of €5.6 million is upped McCartney is expected to move - once West Ham have found a replacement.
Keane has spoken about the future of another Irishman already at the club, Anthony Stokes.
Having spelled out graphically last season that Stokes could be either a top professional "or playing non-League within five years", Keane said Stokes had returned to training in good condition.
"I've been clear about which way his career could go," Keane said of Stokes, "but he's back in decent shape and so are others who were concerned about their own futures.
"The days when you came back a stone overweight are gone. I know I went back to Forest a stone over after my first summer, and that had nothing to do with Mars Bars.
"Anthony has shown a good side, but there are still question marks over him. There are question marks over everyone here, including the staff."
Chelsea announced last night that Claude Makelele is to join French side PSG on a free transfer.
Stoke City have signed striker Dave Kitson from Reading for a club record €6.9 million.
