West Ham want £20million Michael Keane if Everton are relegated
West Ham will “swoop” for Everton defender Michael Keane in the summer if his relegation-threatened side go down according to the Daily Star.
The former England centre-back is reportedly the man that David Moyes believes can provide valuable cover for a position beset by injuries this season, having been Manchester United boss when he was coming through.
Frank Lampard’s Toffees side are currently a point outside the relegation zone with a game in hand, although that is the daunting trip to Anfield for the Merseyside derby later today (24 April).
The Daily Star report says: “The Hammers are struggling in the central defensive area right now – and Moyes is keen to strengthen that position in the close season.
“He regards Keane, who would cost around £20m, as the right man to add much needed cover at the back for the Europa League semi-finalists.”
Underwhelming
The 29-year-old would have been a solid signing at many points over his career, but is in the midst of arguably his worst ever run of form.
The Goodison side have struggled all year, hence the relegation battle they find themselves in, and their defence has been widely highlighted as a key reason over the last couple of months.
Jamie Carragher said the back line was “Championship level” after a 5-0 thrashing at Tottenham on 7 March (Sky Sports).
Around that, the ex-international’s error gifted Phil Foden the only goal of the game in a 1-0 Manchester City away win (26 February), and was sent off at West Ham (3 April).
Former Hammer Trevor Sinclair referred to Keane as “a liability” on talkSPORT after that game, so the idea of the Europa League semi-finalists shelling out £20million on him at this point likely won’t excite fans much.
With Angelo Ogbonna coming off a major knee injury and both Issa Diop and Kurt Zouma potentially also out for the rest of the season Craig Dawson is now the only fit centre-back.
Reinforcements will likely be needed for next year but Keane doesn’t feel like the answer.
In other West Ham news, Graeme Souness has predicted a major Premier League event to lead to a bidding war for one Irons star.
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