Sunderland boss Roy Keane is ready with a £7 million bid for Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

The England man faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford now that he will not be given a new contract.

The Black Cats boss knows Smith, 26, from their time together at United and hopes this might give him the edge over Tottenham, Everton, Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

Keane's main hurdle will be persuading Smith to leave United, says the Mirror. The player maintains he plans to see out the remaining two years of his current deal.