Agbonlahor issues verdict on Everton blocking Michael Keane exit amid Sky bid update
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Everton should let Michael Keane leave the club this month as they have an “overload” of centre-back options.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 30-year-old “lacks pace” and is capable of “really silly” mistakes.
According to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas (9 January, via Twitter), Southampton have seen a loan bid for Keane rejected by Everton.
Thomas claims the Toffees are not keen on loaning the defender to a relegation rival and would prefer to get him off the books on a permanent basis.
Keane has played just 22 minutes of Premier League football this season following the transformational summer arrivals of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady.
The 12-cap England international is under contract at Goodison Park until 2025.
He made 38 appearances across all competitions last season but was criticised by fans and pundits alike for a number of costly errors as Everton narrowly avoided relegation.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Keane is one of these defenders who can do some really silly things.
“He lacks the pace you need in the Premier League, and you always feel that he’s got a mistake in him.
“I think Everton are alright to let him go. They’ve got Coady and Tarkowski as their starting pair.
“They’ve got Mina, Holgate, Godfrey – it’s an overload of centre-backs.
“I think the right thing to do is let him go this month.”
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