ROY KEANE is on the brink of completing an £8.5million swoop for Manchester United striker Louis Saha.

Sunderland boss Keano will make the out-of-favour Old Trafford star the biggest earner in the clubs history on £50,000 a week.

Saha, 30, was at the Stadium of Light to see the Black Cats 1-0 pre-season defeat by Ajax.

Keane is desperate to add firepower to his squad after last seasons brush with relegation.

He has splashed £20m on six summer signings already but admitted: Hopefully there will be two or three players coming on board before the transfer window closes.

At the end of last season I thought we needed another top striker at the club and Ive not changed that view because youve got to put the ball in the back of the net.

New hitman El-Hadji Diouf signed from Bolton also stressed the need for the frontline to toughen up.

He said: Ive told the lads we need to be more aggressive and play more attacking football and go at teams.

We dont have to fear anyone or have respect for anyone we need to believe in ourselves.

Keane is also trying to hijack defender Nicky Shoreys move to Portsmouth. He was poised to become Pompeys fourth summer signing if a fee was agreed with Reading.

Fratton Park manager Harry Redknapp has already had one bid rejected and if the deal collapses Keane is ready to pounce with a £3m offer for the England left-back.

Reading chief Steve Coppell warned: We do not need to sell anyone so I am not going to give anyone away.