West Ham manager Alan Pardew has kept the door open for Roy Keane to move to Upton Park.
Keane has attracted interest from a host of clubs since leaving Manchester United last week, many being the Hammers' Barclays Premiership rivals.
And Pardew, whose young side take on United at Upton Park on Sunday, has indicated the 34-year-old is the sort of recruit to take them to the next level.
Asked whether a contract would be offered, he said: “I wouldn't dismiss it. I haven't explored what Roy wants to do because that is probably what is going to happen - it will be what Roy wants to do.
“But certainly I haven't closed the door on bringing a player of his stature to this club because that is the sort of player we want to look at. We have a great base here of young players, a good squad and a good spirit and to jump to the next level we need to bring in real quality players.”
