Town have agreed a fee with Sunderland for midfielder Grant Leadbitter and have begun talks with the player, according to PFA representative Matthew Buck. The 23-year-old was a regular in Keane’s side at the Stadium of Light.

Buck, who is acting for Leadbitter, said: "A fee has been agreed between Sunderland and Ipswich for Grant and we have been given permission to open talks with Ipswich.”

The Chester-le-Street-born player, who has won England caps at U20 and U21 levels, is a Sunderland fan from childhood, coming the youth system on Wearside.

The 5ft 9n in tall midfielder, who Keane has previously compared to Paul Scholes in style, made his first team debut in the 2003/04 season and has now made 69 starts and 54 sub appearances, scoring 11 goals.

Currently, Sunderland’s longest-serving player, Leadbitter, who is reportedly also interesting one or two other clubs, spent time on loan at Rotherham in 2005.

Keane was understood to be at Monday’s Norwich City-Sunderland Carling Cup tie in which Leadbitter played.

Photo: Action Images

Brandonbilly added 17:17 - Aug 26 Good news me thinks.
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UEFA81 added 17:17 - Aug 26 Who?
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ItfcLoyal added 17:17 - Aug 26 Good news think this deal has truth in it .
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Havit_Blue added 17:18 - Aug 26 not the same as Carlos Edwards. but Hay Hoo....
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ItfcLoyal added 17:19 - Aug 26 could be carlos edwards aswell Though ??
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Havit_Blue added 17:19 - Aug 26 Brandonbilly. youve nicked me Blog!!!!
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keanotheenforcer added 17:19 - Aug 26 Its nice to be, being linked with a decent calibre of player for a change! Would be nice if Sunderland could have kept it under the hats until the deal was finalised. Guess suddenly the likes of Hull, Cardiff etc will be interested now!
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Havit_Blue added 17:20 - Aug 26 ITFCLoyal.. Lets hope so,,,,,
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irvingernon added 17:21 - Aug 26 Would be a good signing... Nice one Keano
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johnnywarksmoustache added 17:23 - Aug 26 A bit of steel and running in midfield just what we need. Trust Keane to sort it out. UTT
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Burkey93 added 17:24 - Aug 26 he will be a great buy for the championship , Keano has got the right idea!!
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OnlyOneSirBobby added 17:24 - Aug 26 would be a decent signing if we got him, if we could get mcmanus as well, then id consider it a very successful end to the transfer window.....and if that "very, very, very slim" chance of getting gio comes to fruition, i would be ecstatic!!!
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Pablue added 17:29 - Aug 26 Would be an absolutely superb signing, fingers crossed on this one!!!!!
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runaround added 17:30 - Aug 26 sounds like exactly the type of player we need. lets hope keano persuades him. if we can get him plus another 1 or 2 then it will give everyone a boost
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jas0999 added 17:32 - Aug 26 Now we are talking. Still need a striker - but this is promising news, along with being linked with a quality defender.
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little_e added 17:33 - Aug 26 See you can't read Mr keanotheenforcer, Sunderland did keep it under their hats the article says "according to PFA representative Matthew Buck" Dimwit
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ianmarshall added 17:40 - Aug 26 He had a good game against Norwich although this is nothing to go by! Looks like he has a bit of urgency about his play which is something we don't have
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lukeym18 added 17:43 - Aug 26 good player!!
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quicksyitfctillidie added 17:44 - Aug 26 this would be a brilliant signing for us he would be the creativity an the steel our midfield has been lacking but he would also bring a different dimension to our style of play aswell
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quicksyitfctillidie added 17:46 - Aug 26 this would be a brilliant signing for us he would be the creativity an the steel our midfield has been lacking but he would also bring a different dimension to our style of play aswell
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CapnBlues added 17:47 - Aug 26 Amazing signing if it happens! Much better than Whitehead imo and Sunderland fans love him!
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itfcserbia added 17:53 - Aug 26 jas - francis jeffers is transfer-listed ;) and keanotheenforcer - it's not hull or cardiff this time, wolves are after mcmanus :) anyway, hopefully we'll get both of'em
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itfcserbia added 17:54 - Aug 26 oh, and still would love to see ben watson at PR
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pippaine added 18:02 - Aug 26 PIPBLUE If he is anything like the Legend namesake Jimmy who was a great Player for the Town, that would be great. is he relaited to Jimmy
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GloryGlory added 18:10 - Aug 26 http://www.theoffside.com/leagues/england/english-premiership/sunderlands-grant- Beautiful goal. Sky is also reporting atm that Carlos Edwards is in negotiations.
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