Koeman confirms interest in Burnley's Keane

Lyndon Lloyd Monday, 30 January, 2017 22comments | Jump to most recent

Ronald Koeman has indicated that defender Michael Keane is one of the players Everton have identified as a transfer target.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move from Burnley for the past few weeks and Koeman was asked about the speculation at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Stoke.

"He is one of those players," the Dutchman said in regard to Keane, the highly-rated young defender who has been monitored by many other clubs in the Premier League in recent years.

"He's on our list but he's on lots of teams' lists. It's what we need for next season and the future.

"If we sign a player it's that player who brings what we don't have. If it's not possible today or tomorrow we will wait until the summer when it's easier than in January."

Koeman's comments represent a break from his usual refusal to discuss specific players from other clubs which might hint at a deal being in the works before tomorrow's transfer deadline but Burnley are keen to keep Keane until the summer at least.

The manager has made no secret of his desire to add another central defender to his ranks but he suggested that attempts to bring in a new goalkeeper would be shelved until the summer.

Koeman has been impressed with the recent form of Joel Robles and he said that the Spaniard would be keeping his place in the side for the time being despite Maarten Stekelenburg's return to fitness.

Reader Comments (22)

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Joe O'Brien
1 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:30:16

Class signing. Would think it would be difficult to get him in this window. I'm still thinking they'll be one or two additions before as sky puts it 'slams shut'

Soren Moyer
2 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:31:07

Sign him up! Don't drag it.

Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:33:55

The Lancashire Telegraph reports "When Sean Dyche was asked about interest in Keane earlier today, he said: "We're a club who are looking to add players who we think can take it forward, not get rid of them."

That's not an outright 'he's not for sale' type of answer from Dyche is it? But I can't see Burnley selling him in this window if they do cash in on the lad.

Tony Twist
4 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:34:25

Would be good signing but I think we need a quality centre forward before any more defenders.

Chris Gould
5 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:36:41

There won't be any centre forwards coming in this window. I think it's a CB and a youngster if anyone at all.

Craig McFarlane
6 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:45:31

I think the main problem with signing a striker is that it is obvious that the new guy would be 2nd choice behind Lukaku. Unfortunately, we are not currently on the same level as a Chelsea, for instance, who can attract a class player like Batshuayi to sit on the bench. That means we are left with youngsters who are happy to bide their time or 2nd rate players, both of which may leave the average fan underwhelmed by their signing.

Kevin Rowlands
7 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:48:18

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere his contract is running down and he's refusing to sign a new one, if that's the case this might well happen.

Eugene Ruane
8 Posted 30/01/2017 at 16:57:32

Good mate of mine is a mad 'clarets' supporter.

I asked him about Keane last week..

Me: What's Michael Keane like?

Him: Bobby Moore without the looks.

Me: Lot of clubs (supposedly) interested and I saw we were one of them. £20m the amount quoted. Almost certainly bollocks but who knows. City and Leicester also mentioned (which will do wonders for Stones' confidence).

Him: He's better than Stones. If he doesn't go this month he'll go in the summer. Class player. I'm amazed Utd let him go.

There you go, horses mouth etc.

Mark Morrissey
9 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:21:51

If we get him in this window it would be a great coup for the club. That just leaves a striker, play maker and a goalie in the Summer. Sign him up!

Liam Reilly
10 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:29:25

If we get him, then I can't see Jags staying till the summer as he's be fourth choice for two positions.

He'll probably move to either Sunderland or Bournemouth on loan for the remainder of the season

Geoff Evans
11 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:30:50

Super signing if we can get him. Oozes class, as good a centre half as Stones is supposed to be. No-brainer.

Mike Berry
12 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:39:46

I think this is a goer, Ronald wants him and Farhad wants another signing or two.

Could see Jags moving late also to Sunderland if the Keane move happens.

Michael Dersch
13 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:40:02

I wonder if we could sign him and immediately loan him back to Burnley. They get him for the rest of the season, Jags still has a role to play with Everton, and we get a promising youngish center back lined up for next year. We can work with Jags to find a new team in the summer window.

Anthony Dwyer
14 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:50:49

We're starting to behave like a real top class club, we're clearing out the squad players who aren't good enough, and loaning out our main up coming promising young men (not kids).

If Ron wants Keane, I suspect that Burnley wouldn't be too happy. My idea would be to buy Keane now before his price goes nuts, but leave him were he is so everyone's a winner.

We get Keane before the inflated price, Burnley keep there man to help stay up, and Holgate keeps on in the team.

John Pierce
15 Posted 30/01/2017 at 17:51:23

If Everton are going places, as we all hope, if this lad is what they want force the sale.

Pay over the odds, yes and why not? Leave him now and we get in a longer queue in the summer.

With several suitors a more attractive than ourselves.

Get it done. Burnley aren't going down, so no pressure there other than giving them a decent pay off for him.

Less teams willing to spend in January, use the edge we have.

Will Mabon
17 Posted 30/01/2017 at 18:47:02

"I don't talk about players..."

Guess you do now, Ron.

John, 15: that all makes sense, save for, not too much over the odds.

How often in the past we've been on the other end of the predation. Wouldn't want to lose Keane if I was associated with Burnley.

John Francis
18 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:12:41

Swap for Jags and a wedge maybe?

We get what we want and The sheep worriers get an excellent defender to see their season out, before they spend our dosh on someone more long term in the summer. Jobs a goodun coyb.

Dick Fearon
19 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:20:13

So many old uns' are moving on while lots of our kids are starting to feel their oats we needs be careful not to throw these babes out with the bath water.

Mike Dolan
20 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:33:56

Keane would be a great signing for us but I doubt Burnley would sell. As for the much needed striker that's going to be the hardest piece of the puzzle to put in place.

The transformation of this squad has been amazing from the end of last season we have now lost Howard, Hibbo, Oviedo, Stones, Ossie, Gibson, Galloway, Niasse, Browning, Cleverley. Exciting times.

Paul Johnson
21 Posted 30/01/2017 at 19:49:55

Mike, I would take Browning and Galloway off your list â€“ they are young players with a potential future at the club â€“ but I would then add McGeady.

Nick McGregor
22 Posted 30/01/2017 at 20:09:58

My only problem with this potential signing is the unfortunate picture of him we have attached to this article. Poor lad, looks like the picture snapped while he was sneezing!

Kevin Jones
23 Posted 30/01/2017 at 21:09:58

Eugene, I didn't know Mr Ed was a Burnley Fan

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