THE RACE FOR ROY Confirmed interest: Bolton, Celtic, Everton, Man City, Portsmouth, Real Madrid, West Brom, West Ham, Wigan Not interested: Juventus, Birmingham, Tottenham, Roma Celtic make move for Keane

Real were believed to be in pole position to sign the 34-year-old former Manchester United midfielder.

Keane had reportedly been discussing a potential 18-month deal and further talks were due to take place this week.

But on Sunday Luxemburgo became the fifth Real manager in two-and-a-half years to be dismissed.

Three Premiership clubs are reported to still be pursuing the 34-year-old and Bolton's Sam Allardyce remains keen.

"Unless Roy wants to up sticks with his family and move away from the area, we are perfect for him," the Trotters boss told BBC Radio Five Live.

Everton boss David Moyes held talks with the former Republic of Ireland captain on Friday and a London club are said to have made a late attempt to bring the former Old Trafford skipper south.

Keane - a Celtic fan - has said in the past that he would like to end his career at Celtic Park but chairman Brian Quinn has expressed his concern about the level of his wages.

Real appeared his most likely destination, despite Keane's initial concern about commuting from his Cheshire home.

Last week Keane's lawyer Michael Kennedy declined to comment on reports he had been in Madrid holding talks with a view to a move to La Liga.

It would be a very good bit of business by Moyes if he could persuade Keane to go to Everton From MS Have your say on 606

However, he did say Keane, who cannot sign a deal until 1 January, has been keeping fit since leaving Old Trafford and will be ready to make a return to action in the new year.

BBC Sport rounds up the latest, club-by-club news on who is in and out of the race to sign Roy Keane.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce:
"Will we be trying to sign him? No, I think we can rule that one out, that's for sure."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"My best advert was if Roy happened to see how we played against Arsenal - we can't do more than that.

"Being with a winning team would persuade Roy to join us and I think he'd really enjoy his stint with us."

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon:
"If Roy does come, it will be great. If he doesn't, we carry on regardless."

Everton boss David Moyes:
"I can confirm we have had talks with Roy Keane."

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce:
"We are certainly looking at players who might improve our team - we always are and always will be and Roy is a good player, one who can improve our team.

"He is a good player and that is borne out by the number of teams who have been associated with a player who has only been released by his club for a couple of days."

Chief executive Peter Storrie:
"If we could bring Keane to Pompey it would be fantastic, but in what role I don't know.

"I'm unsure whether he wants to stay as a player or get into coaching. With someone like Roy, it would be important to have someone experienced with him."

Spurs coach Martin Jol:
"It's against everything we believe, we have very good players in that area. I think we're just fine."

West Brom manager Bryan Robson:
"I've spoken to Roy and he knows there is an option to come to this football club.

"Roy has got loads of options available to him and within a few weeks he will make a decision on which challenge he wants. I've enquired about what he has in mind.

"But only Roy will be able to decide what that next challenge is going to be."

West Ham boss Alan Pardew:
"I'm sure there would be a queue of clubs interested, but if there was any chance he would come here, I hope we would try everything to get him to West Ham.

"We do have a wage structure, but for a player of Roy's calibre I would ask the chairman and the board to do everything they could."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan:
"If Paul Jewell came to me and said to me can we go and sign Roy Keane I'll back him.

"They all say he will go to Celtic, but let's wait and see."

Real Madrid have been in talks with Keane's adviser Michael Kennedy but, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, Real are only prepared to offer a short-term deal.

Italian sides Juventus and Roma were both said to be interested in bringing Keane to Serie A.

However a Juventus spokesman said: "Juventus is very strong right now and we do not need any more players."

And Roma sporting director Daniele Prade added: "We have never been in contact with Roy Keane or his agent because he is a player that doesn't interest us, not now or in the future."

High-flying Fiorentina are also reportedly interested in Keane.

Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia said they made a short-term offer but made no further progress.