‘Michael Keane to look for Everton exit despite ongoing talks’
Everton defender Michael Keane looks set to leave the club this summer despite being in discussions with the club over his expiring contract.
The Toffees enjoyed a revival under David Moyes in the second-half of last season, and eventually finished 13th in the Premier League as they bid farewell to Goodison Park on a high.
Moyes is set to overhaul his squad this summer in search of more progress next term, and former chief Keith Wyness recently revealed to Football Insider that he believes there will be around 10 new Everton signings made as they move into the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton confirmed last month that Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ashley Young and Asmir Begovic will all be leaving when their contracts expire at the end of June, while the club revealed that they are offering new deals to both Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye.
The future of centre-back Keane, who joined the club back in 2017 for around £25million [BBC Sport] from Burnley, has remained unclear until now, with the Toffees claiming that they are still in talks with his representatives over fresh terms.
Keane not set to be part of Moyes overhaul
Everton are expected to be able to spend more money this summer, but Wyness has previously revealed to Football Insider that Toffees supporters should not expect “big, dramatic” dealings under Moyes as they make smart moves to bolster their squad and lacking depth.
Keane has been a solid operator at the back for a number of years, with 230 appearances for the club since he joined in 2017, but he has had to settle for reduced minutes in recent times with just 35 league appearances in the last three seasons.
Football Insider revealed back in April that the 32-year-old Keane was likely to depart the Toffees this summer, and The Times have now reported that “it is anticipated he will look elsewhere” for a new club, despite contract discussions still being in progress as he nears the end of his deal later this month.
Everton need to move on from players like Keane to progress
Football Insider verdict
Everton have shown signs of improvements since Moyes’ second appointment in January, and they need a good summer transfer window to build on that and continue their march back up the table into next season.
They have already moved to capture playmaker Charly Alcaraz on a permanent deal after an impressive loan spell in the second-half of last term, while Football Insider recently revealed that they are keen on a move for Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters, with West Ham also interested.
It is clear that former Hammers boss Moyes is planning for a busy summer of incomings and outgoings, and it would make sense to let Keane go as he nears the latter stages of his career with a lack of recent impact on the starting eleven.
The Stockport-born centre-back was a regular for the Toffees in his first five seasons on Merseyside, but errors started to creep into his game over in recent times, and he has been reduced to a bit-part role as they have mostly battled against relegation in the last few years.
| Appearance | Goals | Assists |
| 230 | 16 | 10 |
Given that he signed his last contract in 2020 when he was a mainstay at the back every week, his current wages are not likely to represent those of a player who has become increasingly less important year-on-year at Goodison Park.
Everton have already looked to cut ties with aging players this summer, such as versatile right-back Young and back-up keeper Begovic, and Keane should be another that they let leave, as it is best for all parties for him to find a new challenge.