Republic Ireland Boss Geovanni Trapattoni risked the ire of everyone at White Hart Lane this evening after wading into the speculation surrounding the future of Robbie Keane by urging his captain to join Liverpool.
Trapattoni holds Ireland's record goalscorer in high regard, recently comparing him to Roma play-maker Francesco Totti, and the new Irish head coach feels Keane would become a better player by playing in the Champions League with Liverpool.
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He said: "I don't know what is happening with Liverpool at the moment but I would be very happy for him. I hope it happens for him because it will be a big challenge. It would be important for him and important for us."
Trapattoni's words are likely to add fuel to reports that, in the light of Liverpool's interest, Keane has told Juande Ramos that he wants to leave to join the club he supported as a boy.
If true, the news is a significant blow to everyone at White Hart Lane. Ramos has prepared for the likely loss of Dimitar Berbatov over the past few months and is willing to listen to offers for striker Darren Bent. However, losing his captain and talismanic forward was not in his plan.
Having scored over 100 goals for the club, losing Keane would be a massive blow to the Spaniard. Last season he became the 13th player to score 100 goals in the Premier League and during 2007 he scored a remarkable 31 goals in 40 league starts, yet we would be losing far more than just a goalscorer.
During the Jol years the Dutchman spoke highly of Keane's amicable personality and his ability to bring players together off the field to enhance the team's spirit on it. Although no the most vocal captain he has always been the kind to lead by example and most fans would be hard pressed to name a player who was more committed to the cause - or so they thought.
There are those who argue that, despite his obvious talents and goalscoring record, if Keane joined Liverpool then they wouldn't be too disheartened. This logic carries that, as long as we get a good price, Ramos has the influence to attract an even better striker to replace him. Yet that doesn't factor in that we could be facing the exodus of our entire forward line.
So, with an albeit bulging transfer budget, Ramos would be faced into buying three strikers who are capable of scoring at Premiership level in as many months. Baring in mind that it can take months to work through the rigmarole of bringing in just one player who fits that description then it becomes clear that Ramos could find himself in a seriously sticky situation very quickly.
Then there is the small matter of new acquisitions adapting to Premiership football and the club's style of play. Even if he does manage to bring in replacements of sufficient quality they will need time to bed in and surely the club cannot countenance another stuttering start to a new season after yet another window of heavy investment.
Then there would be the small matter of replacing his captain. Ramos is only too aware that the side lacks leadership already so he would be loathe to lose one of the only players who helps bind the players together when the going gets tough. Surely Jonathan Woodgate is the only player capable of shouldering the responsibility should Keane leave
Keane's departure, however, is not a forgone conclusion. There is very little chance Keane will contemplate handing in a transfer request, so his efforts will be limited to indicating to Ramos that he would like to talk to the Merseyside club. Yet, with no reason to sell and time remaining on his contract, all the club has to do (in theory) is to dig its heels and refuse to sell (unless, of course, they receive an offer that is too good to refuse).
Given that Liverpool are more than willing to publicly unsettle other sides top players, this story has the potential to run and run. Fans of Aston Villa and Tottenham will be hoping that their clubs stand tall and refuse to give in to what amounts as nothing more than arrogant bullying.