Younes Kaboul is expected to make a decision over whether to join Sunderland in the next 24 hours. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who has also been linked with Portsmouth held talks with Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, on Saturday.

"Younes was very impressed with Roy Keane when he met him, especially with his vision for Sunderland Football Club," Rudy Raba, the France under-21 international's agent, said.

Keane remains hopeful of completing the signings of four Tottenham players this week, after reports suggested Steed Malbranque, Kaboul, Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda had been targeted in a deal worth £23 million.

"We've worked hard and everyone knows I spoke to players this weekend," Keane said. "It went well. There are still one or two loose ends to be tied up at the Spurs end but hopefully it won't drag on too long."

He added: "I'd like a few positive decisions over the next couple of days but I have to say I was very impressed with the four players when I met them and we look forward to the news over the next few days.

"I have to say the club has made some very good offers and fingers crossed we get across the finishing line."

Chimbonda, 29, who arrived at Spurs from Wigan in a £4.5m deal in 2006, confirmed over the weekend that he is keen to leave the club for Sunderland.

"I travelled to meet Keane on Saturday at Sunderland's training ground," Chimbonda said. "I was extremely impressed with what he had to say.

"Keane's honesty and openness really were fantastic and I particularly like the plans he has for Sunderland. The opportunity excites me and I hope he was impressed with what I had to say."

Sunderland received permission fromTottenham permission to speak to the quartet on Thursday.