Michael Keane was signd for Everton by Ronald Koeman in 2017 (Getty Images)
According to a report from the Daily Mirror, Tottenham and Arsenal have scouted Everton defender Michael Keane this season.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has earmarked Michael Keane as his summer target to strengthen the backline and inject some youthfulness into his defence. Arsenal are also interested in the England international, who is rated in the region of £50m by Everton, adds the report.
It doesn’t come as a surprise to see both the north London clubs hunting for a central defender ahead of the 2019/20 campaign. Arsenal have been poor defensively once again this season and Unai Emery is certain to take a dip in the transfer market to solve his team’s problems at the back.
Tottenham, on the other hand, Toby Alderweireld will enter the last year of his contract in the summer and Jan Vertonghen is set to turn 32 in April, leaving Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth as the only remain options for Pochettino.
With Michael Keane impressing this season at Goodison Park, Tottenham surely must beat their bitter rivals Arsenal to the defender’s signature.
Starting his career at Manchester United, Keane found success at Burnley under the management of Sean Dyche. After enjoying a really good spell at Turf Moor, Everton signed him in the summer of 2017. The 26-year-old had a disappointing debut season with the Toffees as the Merseysiders finished eighth in the league.
This season, though, Keane has been Everton’s leader at the back, forming a good partnership with on Kurt Zouma. Not only has he established himself as a regular under Marco Silva but also for the Three Lions. Thus, it isn’t a shock to see the 26-year-old on the radar of a couple of top Premier League clubs.
As far as Tottenham are concerned, they are currently fighting for a place in the top four after slipping out of the title race earlier this month. And after not spending a single penny in the last two transfer window, it’s very like Pochettino will recruit new players to add to his squad. A central defender is must and Keane certainly fits the profile of a young, talented and English stopper.
Keane is more of a traditional centre-back, who is physical and robust in the tackle, even though he is comfortable with the ball at his feet. Despite possessing a towering frame, he gets off the ground quickly and times his jump to perfection to win aerial duels.
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After a torrid first season, the ex-Manchester United player has improved leaps and bounds under Marco Silva and could be a top buy for Tottenham.
Everton will be reluctant to lose Keane as Silva will look to retain the core of the team for his second season at Goodison Park. That’ll make things difficult for Spurs to get the England international but Pochettino should do everything in his powers to lure the defender to north London.