Fulham manager Mark Hughes has admitted his interest in Tottenham striker Robbie Keane.
The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been told he can leave White Hart Lane after falling down the pecking order.
Spurs accepted a bid from Birmingham, believed to be worth £7m, earlier this week but Blues first-team coach Peter Grant has admitted the two parties are some way from agreeing a deal.
And Cottagers boss Hughes has now confirmed his interest in Keane, and he is hoping the Irishman will opt for a move to Craven Cottage during the current transfer window.
The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City boss said: “A lot of players are being mentioned, and a lot of them are good players, players I admire.
“But sometimes the deal to bring certain players in can be a little prohibitive, certainly for a club like ours.
“Although at times (recently) and in the past there has been a will to bring players here, on occasion we haven't been able to do it due to the finances involved.
“Would Robbie being keen to stay in London help Fulham? Well that gives us a competitive advantage, I would suggest.
“Fulham is in a nice part of the world. That helps in acquisitions. There are clubs where it is more difficult to attract players to the area, but we don't have that problem when we are based in London.”