“I’m hopeful I will get a chance to speak to the lad, that’s all I am asking.
“If it doesn’t work out – as was the case with David Nugent and Leighton Baines – we’ll move on and wish him well.
“But I would like a chance to speak to Mido because he would provide a challenge to the strikers we have at the club.
“I believe you can’t have enough strikers at your club.
“We’ve talked in pre-season about what we might be lacking here and what we might need, and Mido’s a player I’m well aware of.
“But listen, this is far from being a done deal.”
One thing that could hold up any move for Mido is the fact that Sunderland play Spurs in their opening Premiership fixture on Saturday, and the Londoners are unlikely to want their former striker lining up against them.
Keane has only added one striker to his squad over the summer, spending £5m on former Newcastle man Michael Chopra, but he is close to a deal to bring the leading scorer in the Eircom League, Roy O’Donovan, to Wearside from Cork City.
Sunderland have also been linked strongly with another ex-Newcastle frontman in Andy Cole, who was a former team-mate of Keane’s at Manchester United.
The 35-year-old has terminated his contract at Portsmouth by mutual consent and is looking for a new club.
Cole, who has 188 Premiership goals to his name, said: “A number of clubs from both the Premier League and the Championship have shown an interest in signing me.
“I hope to agree terms before the season starts because I’ve still got a hunger and a burning ambition to score 200 Premier League goals.”
Keane is still hoping to bring in Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon before the season starts – with Sunderland’s team sheet for their final friendly against Juventus at the weekend indicating that the No 1 shirt has been left free for him.
Darren Ward wore No 13 and Marton Fulop 32, leaving the way clear for Scotland international Gordon to take the No 1 jersey.
Sunderland could face competition for Gordon’s signature from Aston Villa, and Keane is understood to have inquired about Manchester United’s Tomasz Kusczak as an alternative if he misses out on his first-choice target.
Jonny may move to Wearside Mar 9 2008
JONNY EVANS admits that he could be on the move this summer – and a switch to Sunderland would be a tempting prospect.
more
Liam deserved to be put on list Mar 9 2008
JONNY EVANS has given tardy team-mate Liam Miller advice on how to stay on the right side of Roy Keane . . . more
Return to Oz for Dwight Mar 9 2008
SUNDERLAND star Dwight Yorke could return to Australia this summer with the Central Coast Mariners. more
Danny feels for Rams Mar 2 2008
DANNY COLLINS says he can understand the agony that doomed Derby are going through as they prepare for life in the Championship. more
Craig: Tough in the top flight Mar 2 2008
SCOTLAND star Craig Gordon says the Premier League is like playing an international every week. more
