Everton have set a precedent paying £30m for Michael Keane – meaning Middlesbrough will demand the same fee for West Bromwich Albion target Ben Gibson.
It’s only the first week of July but you could forgive Everton fans for getting a little ahead of themselves already.
The Toffees have spent more money in this transfer window than ever before in the club’s history, the signings of Burnley centre-back Michael Keane and Malaga striker Sandro Ramirez taking their spending just shy of £100 million this summer, the Daily Mail reports.
Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Ajax captain Davy Klaassen and 22-goal KAS Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru, who will spend next season on loan at Anderlecht, had already put pen to paper at Goodison Park.
Everton have paid a club-record fee for England international Michael Keane
However, while Everton fans raise their glass to majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, whose deep pockets made this unprecedented splurge possible, rival supporters could be forgiven for wishing their club was equally proactive.
West Brom may have enhanced their forward line with the additions of Southampton hitman Jay Rodriguez and Chinese ‘wonderkid’ Yuning Zhang, whose arrival is a blatant marketing venture for a club with Far Eastern owners.
But the defence is still in need of reinforcement as manager Tony Pulis searches for a long-term successor for 37-year-old Gareth McAuley.
Keane on Gibson
It appeared that The Baggies had settled on Ben Gibson, the Middlesbrough captain who, like Keane, earned a place in the England squad after performing beyond expectations in 2016/17.
The Telegraph claimed that they were interested but could be priced out of a move. The report adds they asked Boro to reduce their £30 million asking price, which would require West Brom to double the club-record fee they paid Tottenham Hotspur for Nacer Chadli last summer.
Ben Gibson could cost as much as Michael Keane
However, Everton paying top dollar for Keane means Boro will do nothing of the sort. Gazette Live claims that the huge money spent on another young, English centre-back has strengthened the recently relegated North Eastern outfit’s bargaining position.
They know teams will pay big money and will not let Gibson go on the cheap. Everton have set a precedent and, inadvertently, may have priced West Brom out.
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