£25m-rated Michael Keane is reportedly on everyone’s radar – but West Brom could pull off a bargain deal with his Burnley partner Ben Mee.
With West Brom enjoying their finest ever Premier League campaign and sitting pretty in the top half of the table, it’s tempting to assume that Tony Pulis’ side have almost reinvented Catenaccio in modern-day English football.
Yet, The Baggies have only one clean sheet in their last eight games, albeit in a stirring defensive performance in the recent goalless draw at Old Trafford. They have been leaking goals of late and, since edging Bournemouth 2-1 in February, have won just once in the Premier League.
Therefore, perhaps it would be a little naive to suggest that West Brom will not be not be in the market for a centre-half in the summer. Jonas Olsson’s return to Sweden has reduced Pulis’ defensive options and while Gareth McAuley has performed admirably at either end, it must be remembered that he is 37 years of age.
So while the chase for Burnley’s newly-capped England international hots up, West Brom should consider renewing their interest in his underrated team-mate.
According to the Daily Mirror, Everton are leading the chase for the £25 million-rated Michael Keane after a super season at the heart of The Clarets backline, ensuring they are almost certain to earn Premier League survival for the first time.
However, while most of the top ten are reportedly chasing the former Manchester United youngster, centre-back partner Ben Mee has unfairly slipped under the radar.
The 27-year-old has started 32 Premier League games this season and, for the most part, has been a pillar of consistency, averaging 2.2 interceptions per game.
In fact, it was Mee, rather than Keane, who earned Burnley’s Players Player of the Year award last season and he won’t be too far away from repeating the trick this time around. The Daily Mirror claimed that West Brom were interested in the summer and, while Keane potentially breaks the £30 million barrier, The Baggies should attempt to snare Mee for a fraction of the price.
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