IT SEEMS THAT struggling West Ham United could be forced to admit defeat in the pursuit of Ireland captain Robbie Keane as talks broke down over his demands today.

ESPN reports that discussions over a possible move have stalled because of the Tallaght man’s wage demands.

Keane, of course, is out of favour at Tottenham and is expected to move on in January.

The Irish Independent reported this morning that Harry Redknapp would use Keane as a makeweight in a deal for Scott Parker.

The Upton Park club have also baulked at a move for Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor, after they discovered the enormous wages the player is on at Eastlands: an astonishing £180,000-a-week.

Owen Cowzer reported in the Irish Sun today that Alex McLeish had been given the green light by Birmingham chiefs to chase the Tallaght man.

Mick McCarthy is also said to be interested in luring his former Ireland striker back to Molineux while Aston Villa are also monitoring the situation.