Keane will look to reshape his squad significantly for next season after bringing the current campaign to an end against the Gunners on Sunday.

The game will see him go head-to-head with a manager who has made a name for himself by picking up promising young players from all over the world and turning them into world-class internationals.

Sunderland have worked hard on their own scouting network since Keane's arrival on Wearside, but he knows Wenger is a past master.

The Irishman said: "Arsene Wenger would probably be one of the best known in the world for having the best contacts from the people he has met over the years and the clubs he has worked at.

"You can tell that with the players he has brought in for fairly good prices, and you look at the lads he has sold on.

"That would probably be one of his strengths. It is important for a manager, your recruitment. You will be judged a lot on the players you bring into a club.

"But I am sure Arsene Wenger would say that came from many years of experience, building up trust with certain people and respecting certain people's opinions.

"Everyone has got an opinion on a player but you have got to try to get a value on that and bring the right players to your football club.

"Having said all that, you just sometimes never know the character of a player until he comes into your building, so there is always an element of risk with any player.

"But the risk becomes less certainly with the more money you spend."

Before Keane starts his latest recruitment drive, he will look to sign off this season on a positive note after witnessing a horror show at Bolton last weekend.

A week after securing their own top-flight status, the Black Cats turned in a sub-standard display at the Reebok Stadium to lose 2-0 and leave their manager promising a summer clear-out.

Keane will demand much more from his players this time around as they attempt to improve upon their current standing of 15th, although the implications of that in terms of prize money are lost on him.

He said: "That doesn't bother me one bit, it is about players going out and performing.

"The last thing you think as a footballer when you go out to perform is about the financial rewards.

"You are in big trouble if you go down that road. That's up to the money people.

"I am sure they will look at that, but that's the last thing I want to be mentioning to my players, that the club could get an extra £1million or £2million.

"You want to go out and perform for your own pride, for your team-mates, for your supporters.

"The financial stuff shouldn't come into it, and it doesn't with our players, I have to say."