Hammers blow kisses to Keane

West Ham have confirmed they have contacted Roy Keane's advisors in a bid to lure the former Manchester United captain, seen here in June 2005, to London

West Ham have confirmed they have contacted Roy Keane's advisors in a bid to lure the former Manchester United captain to London.

Several clubs have expressed interest in the 34-year-old Republic of Ireland international since he left Old Trafford two weeks ago but the Hammers appear to have gone further than their rivals.

Previously, Keane has said he could not he see himself joining another Premiership club, leading to speculation that Scottish giants Celtic, the club he supported as a boy, would be his favoured destination.

But his former United team-mate Teddy Sheringham is now at West Ham and assistant manager Peter Grant was optimistic about the club's chances of securing Keane's signature.

"We have made the contact that we are interested. We would be delighted if someone like Roy Keane was available and interested in coming to West Ham United," Grant said.

"The decision comes down to Roy and where he wants to play his football. Does he want to move to London? Does he want to move abroad? Does he want to move to Scotland?

West Ham have confirmed they have contacted Roy Keane's advisors in a bid to lure the former Manchester United captain, seen here in 2004, to London

"If he says he wants to go to Glasgow then it is a waste of time pursuing it because there is only one team he is going to play for.

"But if Roy decides he wants to come to London - then bang, we're in for him. There is no doubt about that."

West Ham are ninth in the table, higher than many expected them to be after they secured promotion to the Premiership through the play-offs.

"The one thing Roy has got is a winning mentality - and that is what we are striving for here," said Grant, deputy to Alan Pardew.

"Alan spoke last week how highly we rate him and it would be fantastic to have him at this club. Someone like that would give the club a huge lift. "People say things about his team spirit - but that comes down the fact he wants to win games of football. I don't find that a fault in anybody.

"That mentality comes from Sir Alex Ferguson - second place is first loser - and that is why he has been so successful in his career. Roy has never accepted second best and we are trying to instil that in our players."

Premiership trio Portsmouth, Bolton and Wigan, as well as Celtic, have all said they are interested in signing Keane.