Keane targets Tottenham triple

10:30am Friday 18th July 2008

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ROY KEANE has launched a £12m triple raid on Tottenham ahead of Sunderland’s pre-season trip to Portugal.

Keane has instructed Sunderland chief executive Peter Walker to make the substantial offer for defender Pascal Chimbonda plus midfield duo Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio.

The Black Cats, also interested in Tottenham’s Darren Bent, face competition from Everton for Chimbonda but the move for the Tottenham trio is an indication of just how much the manager feels new faces are required.

All three have been told that they can leave White Hart Lane this summer at the right price and they are all thought to have returned early from a training camp in Spain to discuss a move.

It was revealed last weekend that Sunderland had made a £4m move for former Fulham man Malbranque.

But it has emerged that the Wearsiders have increased that bid, whilst asking Spurs to include both Tainio and Chimbonda as part of the deal.

Tainio, a versatile Finnish midfielder, has been linked with moves to Hamburg, where his former boss Martin Jol has taken over, and Wigan.

Chimbonda has been linked with a possible switch to Newcastle.