It is reported today that Louis Saha could be on his way to the Stadium of Light, possibly on a pay-as-you-play deal.

Roma and Fulham have already snubbed the chance to sign the 29-year-old, who has been told he is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

The Italian club were keen to sign the France forward on loan, followed by a possible free transfer, but the appearance-based fee put them off.

Fulham 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 against 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 £12.8m 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, according to the Daily Mail, 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.

He is already thought to have made a £10m bid for Everton's Andy Johnson, though his interest in Tottenham's Darren Bent appears to have ground to a halt.