Southampton emerge from crowd in hunt for Everton defender Michael Keane
Southampton are among the sides who want Everton defender Michael Keane on loan during the January transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The former England international has lost his place in the first team since the arrival of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady in the summer, and has only played 22 minutes in the Premier League this season.
The 29-year-old’s contract still runs until 2025 but is attracting plenty of interest for a temporary move this winter.
According to the Sky Sports report, a centre-back on loan is a priority at St Mary’s as they look to avoid relegation.
The Toffees are in danger of the same fate, currently sitting 18th in the league and three points above Saints, but are in much greater need of attacking help.
Relegation rivals
A move away for Keane makes plenty of sense given his lack of involvement under Frank Lampard this season, with just two starts in the Carabao Cup to his name.
But whether Everton should be filling a need at a club who it look likes they will be going up against to avoid the drop is another matter.
If there is a crowd of sides looking at taking the former Burnley man on loan then surely one that isn’t in direct competition with the Toffees would make more sense.
Keane has made 189 appearances in a Toffees shirt and was for some time a key member of the back line, but he struggled badly during a difficult period last season and has been overtaken in the side.
Whether he secures a loan deal in January or not he is surely a candidate to move on permanently in the summer anyway, as at his age there is no benefit for him if he sits on the bench.
Lampard wants to strengthen his squad with players he plans to use so any easing of the wage bill would help, but Everton have to be careful of giving Southampton the answer to one of their own problems.