Liverpool's assault on Premiership's gems halted by price-tags

Liverpool are quickly becoming this Summer's most active team in the transfer market after revealing that not only are they after Aston Villa's captain Gareth Barry but they are also in the market for Tottenham's highly rated striker Robbie Keane.

The Kopites are also reportedly looking into a swoop for Valencia duo David Silva and David Villa with reports suggesting that the pair would be available for around £10 and £17 million respectively although their superb performances in the European Championships last month will undoubtedly have raised their asking price significantly.

It is suggested that Rafa Benitez has been handed a decent sized transfer kitty for this Summer's expenditure but the depth to which his funds will stretch will no where near fulfil the demands of these players current owners and the Spaniard may need to sell before he can enter the race to sign such hot property before the start of next season.

One player which is looking destined for the Anfield door is that of Xabi Alonso who is set to make a £16 million move to Juventus but the Spanish midfielder has been given a three-week break following his European exertions which could foil plans of a quick and painless signing of any of the above.

The news that Liverpool are now in the hunt for Keane will be a huge blow for the odds on Tottenham Hotspur winning the race without the big four and is the most likely reason that the North Londoners have slapped a huge asking price of £20 million on the Irishman's head (anyone would think that it was Chelsea leading an approach for the striker).

With Keane leading the line last season Spurs managed to claim the Carling Cup and with it becoming the only side inside the Capital to claim a trophy last time out. The former Inter Milan man himself was influential in that campaign, claiming 23 goals himself including an absolute screamer which earned Tottenham a draw late on against Chelsea the next time the sides met following the Wembley finale in a thrilling 4-4 encounter.

Liverpool do however possess a blue chip to throw into the bargain in this one with Juande Ramos understood to be an avid admirer of lanky striker Peter Crouch. The Reds have already turned down an offer from Portsmouth thought to be around £8 million for the England international and this should act as a clear indication that Rafa is considering offering cash plus Crouch in an attempt to force Spurs' hand in the deal.

Crouch himself would surely be willing to move to Tottenham with his roots firmly in the South and with the limited appearances he was given last season it could be in both parties interests for a transfer to take place although saying that Spurs are not exactly short of a striker or two as it is!

Keane is known to have supported Liverpool as a boy when he was growing up in Southern Ireland and the prospect of Champions League football once again will no doubt add interest to a possible move.

If Tottenham do seal a deal with Liverpool for the speedy frontman it could mean a cooling off from the Merseyside club for the services of Villa who is also known to be attracting interest from White Hart lane and the funds from Keane's potential transfer would go a long way to forcing through a move for Villa.

Any transfer for Villa on it's own would increase the odds for Tottenham becoming front-runners for a Champions League spot but it would also mean that their strength in depth on the attacking front would be second to none.

With the introduction of Luka Modric and Dos Santos this Summer already, an addition of Villa would certainly excite Spurs supporters and also tempt many other supporters to consider a cheeky punt on them qualifying for the holey grail that is the Champions League next season.

Written by John Ford - A Freelance Football Journalist