According to the Daily Mail, Nottingham Forest have asked Everton about Michael Keane – just days after West Ham submitted a bid.
What’s the story?
Well, Steve Cooper is also attempting to sign Willy Boly from Wolves, with talks continuing over a deal worth £2m.
It remains to be seen if the Ivory Coast international is wanted in addition to Keane, or as an alternative to the England international, but contact has now been made with Everton regarding a loan deal.
However, the Toffees are not prepared to let their No.5 leave on a temporary basis.
It comes after West Ham also recently made an offer to take Keane on a season-long loan from Goodison Park.
Interest in the 29-year-old comes after he lost his place in the starting XI under Frank Lampard.
Following a tense relegation battle last season – in which Keane contributed to Everton conceding 66 goals in 38 Premier League games – he has been replaced by new arrivals James Tarkowski and Conor Coady.
Nevertheless, the Manchester-born defender is still capable of being a solid Premier League performer in the right environment.
After all, Everton saw enough promise in his time at Burnley to splash £30m on his services in 2017.
Nottingham Forest & West Ham can do better than Michael Keane
In our view, Cooper and David Moyes can find better than Keane.
As aforesaid, the Englishman is a capable defender, but note that we specifically said that it has to be the right environment.
Keane has struggled when asked to play possession-based football with Everton and England, with his talents far better suited to a side like Sean Dyche’s Burnley, where it was quite often a backs-against-the-wall situation as they defended for their life.
Therefore, we believe Cooper and Moyes can find a better fit stylistically for their respective sides – a late loan deal for Keane would be a panic signing in every sense of the phrase.
Having said that, anything could happen before the September 1st deadline, so keep an eye on developments.
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