Michael Keane appears to be edging closer to leaving Burnley for Everton.
According to the Burnley Express, Burnley defender Michael Keane isn’t expected to be part of the club’s return to pre-season training next week as a move to Everton draws ever closer.
Keane, 24, joined Burnley on loan from boyhood club Manchester United in the summer of 2015, and he signed a permanent deal just months later having impressed at Turf Moor.
England’s Michael Keane applauds fans
Not only did the centre back play a key role in Burnley’s promotion back to the Premier League in 2016, but he then excelled in the top flight last season, earning himself an England call up.
However, with Keane’s contract expiring in 2018, many expect the defender to leave the Clarets this summer, forcing them to cash in whilst they still can rather than see him leave for nothing in a year.
Now, the Burnley Express report that Keane isn’t expected to be a part of Burnley’s return to training next Wednesday, as a move to Everton is drawing closer and closer.
It’s stated that a fee of £25million is expected to be finalised with the Toffees in the near future, with Ronald Koeman’s men winning the race to sign Keane amid links to other clubs.
Burnley’s Michael Keane
The report notes that Liverpool and Manchester United had other priorities in the transfer market, meaning Everton essentially ended up with a clear run at Keane’s signature, which appears to be moving closer as the Clarets prepare to start pre-season without their star man.
With Everton looking for a young centre back to partner Ashley Williams, they appear to be on the verge of landing Keane in another superb move, having already signed Jordan Pickford and Davy Klaassen this summer.
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