‘Everton launch 11th hour Michael Keane talks amid Idrissa Gueye contract update’
Everton have made a last-ditch attempt to keep Michael Keane with an eye on rebuilding their squad this summer.
The Toffees are looking to provide David Moyes with a squad capable of pushing into the upper echelons of the Premier League after several years of being relegation candidates.
The former West Ham manager’s return to the club he managed between 2002 and 2013 has coincided with Everton moving into their new Hill Dickinson stadium, and the club being in a stronger financial position following the Friedkin Group’s takeover in December 2024.
However, with several first-team stars out of contract this summer and plenty of gaps that need filling, the Toffees need to make several contract decisions.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will leave Everton when the striker’s contract expires on 31 June, whilst Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively that Sunderland are looking to sign Abdoulaye Doucoure as a free agent.
Keane was also expected to depart the club following the culmination of his contract, but according to The Times, that may no longer be the case.
Everton restart contract talks with Michael Keane
According to the report, “contract talks have restarted with centre-back Michael Keane” just one day before the defender becomes a free agent.
Everton want to keep the defender and are hoping to reach an agreement with the 32-year-old.
Keeping the former Burnley man would allow the Toffees to focus funds on other areas of their squad, and the news comes as Jarrad Branthwaite and Idrissa Gueye are set to agree new contracts with the club in “the coming days”.
Keane an important piece of business in hunt for new striker
Football Insider Verdict
It may not seem it, but keeping useful squad players such as Keane could prove crucial for the Toffees this summer.
Finance expert Dan Plumley told Football Insider that Everton would be working on a fairly limited budget this summer.
The senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University does not expect the club to spend north of £100million, which is proving to be a stumbling block in their search for a new striker.
Everton are interested in Villareal striker Thierno Barry and former Fulham man Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But both have asking prices in the region of £40m, which could be nearly half of the Toffees’ transfer budget.
Avoiding spending £5-10m on backups will go a long way not only towards signing a new striker, but fleshing out other areas of their depleted squad.