Everton confident of securing £20 million transfer

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is confident of landing Burnley centre-back Michael Keane in the summer, reports the Mirror.

The Blues were linked with a move for Keane in the January transfer window, with Koeman admitting he was one of several targets being assessed. However, they decided not to make a move during the winter window as Morgan Schneiderlin and Ademola Lookman proved to be the only arrivals.

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Targets are now likely being tracked ahead of the summer and the Mirror believes Keane is still among them. The defender went from villain earlier today as he first conceded a penalty from a handball that allowed Hull City to take the lead, before smashing home the equalizer minutes later in a 1-1 draw.

According to the newspaper, Koeman has accepted he will not be able to secure Virgil van Dijk from his former club Southampton and instead he will target Keane. The England Under 21 international has been in impressive form for the Clarets this season and it is believed that a bid of £20 million plus will be needed to tempt Sean Dyche into a sale.

The current starting pair of Ashley Williams and Ramiro Funes Mori has been an upgrade on previous seasons, but still has room for improvement. Club captain Phil Jagielka has been relegated largely to a back up role while youngster Mason Holgate has been used mostly when lining up three defenders in the back.