Manchester United are set to bring Michael Keane back to the club after selling him for £2m about two years back
According to a report by Daily Mail, Michael Keane will be part of the Old Trafford club once more as United are willing to spend £25million to sign him from Burnley.
Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal sanctioned the sale of Keane back in 2015 for £2million. Keane, who is a central defender, has come under United’s radar again as the Red Devils have emerged as the clear favourites to sign him.
The 24-year-old has quickly moulded himself into one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Premier League ever since he joined Burnley. If he chooses to accept United’s offer, he can quadruple his wages.
Jose Mourinho has made Michael Keane a target for quite some time now, and has made him one of the top priorities in the upcoming transfer window. Similarly, it was reported that Mourinho is also working towards deals with Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku.
Another transfer similar to this one happened last season when Manchester United paid a world record sum of £89million last summer to sign their youth player Paul Pogba, four years after selling him to Juventus for £800,000.
It was Sir Alex Ferguson who sanctioned the move to sell Pogba to Juventus in 2012, but the Frenchman has transitioned into one of the best midfield talents in Europe.
Meanwhile, Keane has also turned into the type of defender that Mourinho deems ideal for United’s back-line. He also got the opportunity make his international debut for England against Germany in March.
As talks of Keane’s return come up, there is the undeniable question that arises over Chris Smalling’s future. He might just be the odd man out since Mourinho is looking to create spaces in the central defence.
Smalling is understood to be fully committed to remaining at Manchester United, despite reports of Mourinho questioning his determination to play after recovering from an injury.
Keane’s arrival might lead to the exit of one or more of United’s current centre-backs. Players like Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling have been trying hard to fit into the two centre-back positions this season.
Comparatively, Bailly might be on the safer side since he has been quite impressive in his debut season.
Mourinho seems to be intent on strengthening his back-line further, and making Keane a part of it could spark several changes in the United defence. Also, if the deal goes through, Keane will be the first signing of what looks like a busy transfer window for the club.
