Liverpool have reportedly joined Everton, Manchester City and others in the pursuit of highly-rated Burnley defender Michael Keane.
Daily Mail are reporting that Liverpool have emerged as the latest suitor for Burnley FC defender Michael Keane. The Manchester United academy graduate has been harbouring interest from the likes of Everton, Manchester City and Leicester City. And it looks like the Reds are prepared to battle them for the defender.
Liverpool are in dire need of defensive reinforcements. While their attack has been on song this season, their defence has often left much to be desired, with Jurgen Klopp seeking a defensive rebuild in the summer. While the addition of a wide defender may be the priority, the arrival of a central defender would also be welcome by the club.
And, if the player is Michael Keane, a defender that possesses experience in the Premier League and youth footballing roots from a great academic club like Manchester United, then Klopp and the Kop army would both welcome such an addition with both hands.
Michael Keane established himself at Burnley after failing to make much of an impact in the Manchester United first-team setup. This season, which is his first in top-flight football with Burnley, he has played every minute of the club’s Premier League campaign so far, contributing to the attack as well with 2 goals and an assist.
Michael Keane: No player has blocked more shots than Keane (37) in the Premier League this season pic.twitter.com/w5HkhvSFrF
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 21, 2017
But, with his contract set to expire in 2018, the club is in a precarious position as regards the 24-year-old talent, who is also very close to earning his senior cap for The Three Lions. And clubs have been circling around the player, with a view to potential deal in the summer.
Manchester City are in need of a central defensive partner to John Stones and looks like Pep Guardiola has made the recruitment of players comfortable with Premier League football his priority while also adding to the Home Grown quota. Keane, combined with Stones, could very well be the future partnership for England as well.
Everton are long-term admirers of the player and could look at Michael Keane to take John Stones’ place in defence, who has left a void at the back after moving to the Etihad. Leicester City, though, are the only side linked with a rejected bid for Keane in the past and are likely to be in the scheme of things again.
The player is likely to be available around the £20 million mark, an amount which the suitors are unlikely to have a problem with, if it means the addition of such a defender to their arsenal.
Manchester United and Chelsea were linked with the player in the past and could come swooping in. However for now, it looks like Liverpool are set to battle their Merseyside rivals Everton and the blue half of Manchester for Keane, come summer.
