Reports in England claim that Premiership outfit Birmingham City have had a £6 million bid accepted by Tottenham Hotspur for Robbie Keane.

The initial fee is expected to be £4million with £2million dependent on the Republic of Ireland captain's performances.

The deal is not expected to be concluded any time soon, but the club have now been given permission to start discussions with the player directly.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish knows that his team needs to add a spark up front and Keane's availability makes him the perfect fit. Birmingham are in a relegation battle in the Premiership largely due to this futility up front as midfielder Craig Gardner is their leading scorer with just five goals.

Spurs have already sent David Bentley to Birmingham on loan for the rest of the season which means Keane would be the second player to make that move should he go.

Keane spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic and has barely featured for Harry Redknapp's side this season.

Keane could pair up with another former old firm star in Kenny Miller as Birmingham hope to sign the Scotsman also to create a potent partnership up front.