Everton should jump at the opportunity to cash in on £30 million centre-back Michael Keane even if he is to end up at a direct relegation rival in the shape of Premier League strugglers Southampton, Simon Jordan tells talkSPORT (24 January, 12.40pm).
As it stands, only goal difference separates Everton and Southampton at the bottom of the table.
Both teams have 15 points. Both teams have tasted victory fewer than five times in 20 league matches. And, with the threat of relegation looming, both needed a positive January window in order to give their survival hopes a timely boost.
Southampton’s started strongly; Mislav Orsic and Carlos Alcaraz arriving in the first week of the new year. Progress has stalled since then, however, South Coast rivals Bournemouth reportedly set to snatch Villarreal forward Nicolas Jackson from under Nathan Jones’ nose (The Athletic).
As for Everton, a tightening of the Goodison Park pursestrings means director Kevin Thelwell and the now-departed Frank Lampard were forced to operate with one hand tied firmly behind their backs. They could only dream of the sort of backing Jones has at St Mary’s.
The cash-strapped and managerless Toffees only have room in the budget for short-term loan deals, such as the now-Tottenham-bound Arnaut Danjuma. Unless, of course, they can free up some funds by selling one of the many overpaid underachievers currently stealing a living at Goodison Park.
Everton’s Michael Keane is a Southampton target
According to talkSPORT, Everton have reservations about letting England international Keane join the likes of Leeds United, West Ham or Southampton, for fear of strengthening a survival-chasing foe.
Former Crystal Palace owner Jordan, however, has seen little from Keane over an error-strewn last 12 months to suggest that he would either be a big miss for Everton or a transformative addition to a rival Premier League backline.
“Well, judging by the way he played last year (they should sell),” Jordan argues. “If I was Everton, I’d be selling him to Southampton quicker than a quick thing!”
In Keane’s defence, he can hardly be blamed for Everton’s current predicament. A regular under Marco Silva, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez; the one-time Man United youngster has played just 22 minutes of league football all season.
James Tarkowski and Conor Coady are currently keeping him out of the Everton XI. Of course, the appointment of a new manager could wipe the proverbial slate clean for Keane and co.
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