Everton have reportedly joined the race to sign Burnley centre back Michael Keane.
According to The Mirror, Everton are lining up a move to try and sign Burnley centre back Michael Keane – and will hope to use Ronald Koeman as a selling point.
The Toffees made a strong start to the season, but have now won just one of their last ten Premier League games, showing just how much work Koeman still has to do to his squad at Goodison Park.
Everton’s Phil Jagielka
A strong back four is often the strong suit of Koeman’s sides, but he has problems with Everton. The ageing Phil Jagielka – now 34 – has struggled this season, Ashley Williams is now 32, and Ramiro Funes Mori has failed to prove that he’s a dependable Premier League centre back.
Landing a younger defender with some Premier League experience has to be on Everton’s wish list, and The Mirror now report that the Toffees have set their sights on Burnley’s Michael Keane.
Burnley’s Michael Keane in action
Keane, 23, joined Burnley on a permanent basis from Manchester United in January 2015 after a four-month loan spell at Turf Moor, and his performances ever since joining the Clarets will make United regret selling him.
Keane has been superb at centre back for Burnley, to the point where he’s now in the England squads under Gareth Southgate, and is one of the top young defenders in English football having not only impressed in the Championship, but also in the top flight.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action with Burnley’s Michael Keane
The report notes how Chelsea and Leicester wanted to sign Keane for £15m over the summer, but Everton are now keen, and hope that the presence of manager Koeman – a legendary centre back with Barcelona and the Netherlands in his playing days – will help tempt Keane into a move to Goodison Park.
However, it’s claimed that Burnley don’t want to sell Keane in January as they have aspirations of staying in the Premier League, and whilst that won’t stop Everton making their move, a rejection would merely delay another approach until the summer, with Keane seemingly destined to leave Turf Moor one way or another in 2017.
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