Michael Keane heads for Burnley exit – Tottenham & Everton favourites
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Burnley’s Michael Keane is set to be a man in demand this summer – and it’s Tottenham who are leading the race.
Sky Sports have reported today that the in-form centre-half is set to leave the Turf Moor outfit at the end of the season.
Keane has played every minute of the Clarets’ Premier League campaign, helping them sit eight points above the relegation zone with five games to go.
The 24-year-old has helped Sean Dyche’s sit pick up clean sheets versus both Liverpool and Manchester United, plus a draw versus league leaders Chelsea.
But the former Man United defender’s contract is up next summer, and it seems Burnley would prefer to cash in this summer.
Keane is valued at just over £10m by transfermarkt.co.uk, but any deal is likely to reach at least £15m.
And given that Burnley’s current record sale is just £7m when Jay Rodriguez moved to Southampton, you can understand why the Lancashire outfit are willing to part ways 12 months early.
They run an efficient ship at Turf Moor, and our traders have installed Tottenham as 7/4 favourites to snap up the England international.
The White Hart Lane outfit have relied on the tight defensive partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in recent seasons.
But statistics clearly show that when one or both are injured, Mauricio Pochettino’s men pick up significantly fewer points, so quality cover and depth is required.
Next up come Everton at 11/4, and the logic here is simple.
After signing Ashley Williams as a replacement for Man City-bound John Stones, the Toffees’ centre-half pairing of Wililams and Phil Jagielka is an old one.
The pair will combine for 68 years of age by the time September rolls around, and it’s clear Ronald Koeman is on the lookout for youthful alternatives.
The Blues will need to find a successor to Gary Cahill and John Terry, but it’s widely accepted than Antonio Conte will head to the continent to do so.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
