Robbie Keane could well have kicked his last football in the English game. Inter Milan have stepped up their bid to sign the 20-year-old Irish international and with the amount of money they are talking about it is going to be hard for Coventry to refuse.

The Italians have been in contact with Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson, who is on holiday in America, and have tabled a bid of £12m for Keane - double what Coventry paid him less than a year ago.

Inter chairman Gabriele Oriali, who has been impressed with Keane's performances for his country, said: "Robbie Keane is the most likely option for us. We have continued negotiations with Coventry through the day and hope to conclude the talks very soon.

"We are aware that Mr. Richardson is on holiday but there is such a thing as a telephone."

Manager Gordon Strachan will be on his knees praying that he does not lose his star player. Keane was bought by forward-thinking Strachan in a bid to get Coventry out of the usual seasonal relegation battle and into contention for honours. If he departs, Strachan will have to start from scratch again.