Michael Keane wants to join West Ham United after being ‘marginalised’ by Everton – Sky Sports reporter
Michael Keane wants to join West Ham this month after being marginalised by Everton after a bust up with Frank Lampard, says Sky Sports journalist Ben Islington.
The Hammers have been linked with a move for a central defender in the January transfer window and allowed Craig Dawson to leave for relegation rivals Wolves in a £3.3m deal over the weekend.
Keane has been linked with a move to the London Stadium but with Everton only wanting a permanent transfer a deal hasn’t been found, and it’s now been shared that Keane has been marginalised at Goodison Park because of a bust up with the manager.
“Michael Keane has been marginalised in fall out to Everton’s home defeat to Southampton,” he wrote on his personal Twitter account (23 January).
“Hasn’t been in recent matchday squads and player has wanted to join either West Ham or Saints.
“Dawson now sold to Wolves, Bednarek’s return probably ends his hopes of joining the latter.”
Interesting
West Ham have got plenty of leverage in this deal if they want to get it done, and it would certainly be a signing that made some sense.
When we originally signed Dawson many thought the deal was a total joke and waste, but he became incredibly important to us and his exit has left a gap in the squad now.
Nayef Aguerd, Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma are the natural central defenders in the squad, while Thilo Kehrer is also capable of playing in that position in a back four. Aaron Cresswell and Ben Johnson have proven to be decent in a back three too.
But Keane would offer more natural depth in the position in a relatively cut-price deal considering his contract ends in 2024 and he has no future at the club, so it could be something to explore
Southampton are now seemingly out of the race for him too, leaving us an easy run to get him in and bolster the squad slightly in what could be key to our battle to move away from relegation and push up the table.