Experienced Keane to use his budget wisely

9:12am Saturday 10th May 2008

ROY KEANE will learn next week the full extent of the transfer budget he will be handed for a summer spending spree but, regardless of the size, the Sunderland manager insists there will be no cartwheel signings'.

With his spending since securing the Championship title 12 months ago now £44m, Keane hopes to be able to double that as he attempts to turn the Black Cats into a Premier League force.

But where the Irishman has bolstered his squad with the addition of 15 fresh faces over the course of the last year, he intends to be more selective this time around.

With expectations that Keane will have at least a further £40m to invest in his squad before August, he has already drawn up a precise list of the players he wants and will present it to chairman Niall Quinn when they get together.

And while he admits he will not be making outrageous moves for superstars of the world game, he did claim he will be attempting to make signings that will feed his own hunger for success.

"Wow factor?," asked Keane, after being quizzed if he would be targeting players with the ability to bring an instant buzz to Wearside.

"The priority will be getting players who can take us to the next level, not with a fancy name or someone with long hair. We want to excite the fans, but I need exciting. I want to be excited.

"Sunderland is an attraction, that hasn't wavered. We have to pay the money. A lot of the deals were straightforward. The players you want are the ones who clubs don't want to leave. We had to do that with Craig Gordon (£9m). No sometimes means yes."

Despite recently demanding that the club have to prove they match his own personal ambition, Keane suggested that money would not be the only issue as he looks for new recruits.

The former Manchester United captain is satisfied rather than delighted' after steering Sunderland away from relegation in his first season as a Premier League manager. He is, though, determined to make sure the same struggle is not on the agenda next season.

"It's just one year, not four or five years. To stay in the Premier League has been progress, but this is my first year and I learned a hell of a lot," he said. "I know what's required to be a decent Premier League team. For all our faults, we're not far away from being able to compete.

"I want to be happy next year.

What would be a satisfying finish next season? That would depend on players we bring in. Ask me pre-season.

"As a manager I have no intention of being in a relegation dogfight every year. That's not why I'm here, I appreciate I'm learning, need to bring in quality players.

I haven't spent silly money.

What we spent last year was a lot of money, but on a lot of players.

This summer it will be a lot of money, but on less players.

"The players I want are a mixed bag, but the ones we're hoping to bring in, and hope is a big word, are mainly based on this island. Not many. Not as many as ten, more than five."

Celtic's Aiden McGeady is understood to be one of those, with the Scottish Premier League leaders looking to claim more than £10m for the winger.

McGeady is viewed as the type of player capable of helping to turn Sunderland into a top-six force, although, like Kevin Keegan did earlier this week, Keane insists that is the best the Black Cats can aim for.

"We could do with a smaller squad but a lot more quality,"

said Keane, who told five players their contracts were not being renewed this week, ahead of tomorrow's visit of Arsenal to the Stadium of Light.

"We won't need as many players with good kids coming through. I'm hoping to spend good money but on far less players than I have brought to the club so far.

"I'll be a bit wiser this summer, a lot more aware of what's needed in the Premier League. The gap is massive. Ourselves Derby and Birmingham were all promoted last summer, all decent clubs, with decent support, and we have all struggled.

"I haven't got a figure in my head. They might surprise me.

"They might say £200m and I might fall off my chair, or they may say £200,000. We'll see."