BBC SPORT | Football | Keane slows merry-go-round

Robbie Keane was the man designated to push the Premiership's transfer merry-go-round into action.

Republic of Ireland striker Keane's proposed switch from Leeds United to Sunderland appeared to be the signal for the start of a surge of market activity.

But Keane's refusal to discuss a move to The Stadium of Light has brought it all to a juddering halt.

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So what might Keane have started had he agreed to move up the A1 and join international colleagues Nial Quinn, Jason McAteer and Kevin Kilbane at Sunderland?

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Phillips may be target for Spurs
Spurs, ready to conduct a fire sale of their own according to speculation, would have taken more than a passing interest.

Boss Glenn Hoddle appears to be preparing the ground for major investment - and most observers believe that major investment would involve a move for Sunderland's Kevin Phillips.

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Keane's arrival at Sunderland may just have pushed open the door for Hoddle, but now it has been slammed shut while Peter Reid examines other alternatives.

The repercussions could also be felt at Leeds, clearly so desperate to raise revenue that they are off-loading players even before a successor to sacked David O'Leary has been appointed.

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Manchester United might take advantage of the situation to step up their interest in Rio Ferdinand - or Liverpool might decide the time is right to press home their long-standing interest in Lee Bowyer.

It has been a quiet transfer summer as far as the big boys are concerned, with only Liverpool and Newcastle United wading into the market with real intent.

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Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has signed Senegal's World Cup duo Salif Diao and El-Hadji Diouf.

And Newcastle counterpart Sir Bobby Robson spent �8.5m on Portugal under-21 international Hugo Viana and set up a �6m deal for Ipswich's Titus Bramble.

Aston Villa are another club at the centre of speculation about incomings and outgoings.

Everton's Thomas Gravesen has been linked with a move to Villa, and if a move goes ahead it may encourage Middlesbrough to pursue their interest in George Boateng.

Villa's Turkish defender Alpay has attracted attention after an outstanding World Cup campaign, and Ronny Johnsen is a possible alternative after being released by Manchester United.

The World Cup has put much of the Premiership's transfer activity on ice, but it will only take one big move to set up a chain reaction of transfers that could shape many squads for next season.

Robbie Keane may not be the catalyst this time - but it will not be long before someone takes his place.


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