Sunderland's Keane ready to put his faith in United striker Saha

Roma and Fulham have already snubbed the chance to sign the 29-year-old. Roma were keen to sign the France forward on loan, followed by a possible free transfer, but baulked when informed they would have to pay a set fee after a certain amount of appearances.

On the move: Louis Saha

Fulham also dropped out of the running for their former striker when told of the financial implications of signing a player currently on £70,000-a-week. That, however, has not deterred Keane as he bids to add firepower to a squad seriously weakened by the knee injury Kenwyne Jones picked up in an international friendly with England.

Sir Alex Ferguson wants to offload Saha as he continues his pursuit of Tottenham's Dimitar Berbatov. Saha's career at United has been dogged by injury since his £12.8million transfer from Fulham in 2004, and Ferguson is so eager to offload the striker that he will let the player go for nothing, initially at least.

The forward's £3.5m-a-year salary has scared off would-be suitors, but Keane believes the player would represent good value if he can be persuaded to take a pay cut to move to the Stadium of Light.

Keane is ready to begin transforming a squad who struggled to stay up last season. He has again been promised major financial backing and is prepared to spend £10m to land Celtic left back Lee Naylor, Steaua Bucharest centre half Dorin Goian and Reading winger Stephen Hunt.

The Sunderland manager is also weighing up a move for Tottenham's Steed Malbranque, and is keeping tabs on Andy Johnson. However, the striker favours a move to Wigan.