West Ham United favourites to sign Everton defender Michael Keane in transfer news
West Ham United are now “favourites” to sign Everton outcast Michael Keane in the January transfer window as David Moyes looks to bolster his defensive ranks, according to journalist Paul Brown.
Moyes managed the centre-back briefly during his stint as manager of Manchester United, and the Scot is reportedly keen on a reunion at the London Stadium. [The Athletic]
The 29-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Frank Lampard – making just one Premier League appearance this season – as summer signings Conor Coady and James Tarkowski continue to get the nod in his stead.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Brown admitted that Keane now has his eyes set on a move, and West Ham have cropped up as the frontrunners.
He said: “I just think everyone knows that because he’s not getting a game really for Everton, that he could be on the market.
“I think Michael Keane’s decided that he’s going to have to move to get more football, so I think he’s going to go somewhere and West Ham, I would say, are favourites at the moment.”
Not needed
Despite many fans believing West Ham’s faults lie in the defensive make-up of their squad, adding Keane would not improve matters in the slightest.
Nayef Aguerd, Thilo Kehrer and Kurt Zouma are all better alternatives than the Everton reject, and although the club are a little short-staffed at the moment due to injuries, there is little point adding him to an already brimming wage bill.
Keane has really seen his form fall off a cliff in the last 18 months, losing his spot in the England squad first, before more recently falling out of favour under Lampard at Goodison Park.
What West Ham need in January is a central midfielder who can partner Declan Rice and prove an able successor for Tomas Soucek – who has looked like a shadow of his former self this season.
Following the 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Friday night (30 December), changes are needed at West Ham United, but not the signing of Keane.