Everton defender Michael Keane has slipped down the pecking order in the backline. The Englishman had attracted interest but as things stand, Everton are not too keen to sanction a loan move.
Back in the summer transfer window, Everton signed James Tarkowski on a free transfer and brought Conor Coady on a season long loan deal from Wolves. The arrival of two quality-laden centre backs pushed the available options down the pecking order as Tarkowski and Coady were operating on a higher level than every available option.
Tarkowski and Coady have remained Frank Lampard’s first choice, which has seen the likes of Keane, Yerry Mina and Mason Holgate slip down the pecking order. At the start of the season, Mina and Ben Godfrey suffered injuries in the first game of the season and yet Keane did not get minutes.
The former Burnley man has just clocked 22 minutes of Premier League football this season and seems surplus to Lampard’s requirements. His trust in Coady, Tarkowski and Godfrey is immense, leaving Mina, Keane and Holgate as second fiddle options.
Everton not interested in loaning out Michael Keane amid Southampton interest
Southampton had shown interest in taking Keane out on loan for the remainder of the season as Nathan Jones’ side prepares for a survival battle. The Saints sit plum last in the Premier League table and want to reinforce their defence.
However, as per Sky Sports, Everton have cleared their stance on Keane. The Toffees are not interested in loaning out Keane. Southampton have received a mini blow in their inquiry for Keane as the Englishman will not be available on loan.
The Merseysiders are looking to raise funds in the winter transfer window through sales and are looking to sell deadwood and players that don’t feature in Lampard’s regular plans. Everton will be open to listening to offers for centre back Keane and Holgate as both have seen their roles diminish in the side.
Keane was signed back in 2017 and throughout the five years, the centre back has lacked consistency, which is one of the main reasons why the £25 million spent isn’t seen as a wise investment.
Everton need to improve their attack and selling players to accumulate funds is a smart way to move in the window given the financial constraints. Six centre backs are a little too many and cashing in on one or two of them might actually help the Toffees secure the needed funds.
Should the Merseysiders sell Michael Keane?