‘Deal was agreed’ for Michael Keane replacement before new Everton star signed new contract
Michael Keane has been integral for Everton this season, despite being just weeks away from leaving in the summer.
Leon Osman called Keane’s start to the season “outstanding”, and the former midfielder’s opinion has been echoed throughout at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Jarrad Branthwaite suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury at the start of the season, leaving David Moyes with just the Englishman and James Tarkowski as his senior centre-backs.
And both players have delivered without fail, keeping three clean sheets in just five games across all competitions this season.
Keane can make history against Liverpool, but with Branthwaite’s return imminent, it remains to be seen whether Moyes will stick with the 32-year-old.
Liverpool had lined up deal for Michael Keane replacement
Keane looked set to leave Everton at the end of the season, with his contract set to expire among a host of other departures.
The defender had started the season in Sean Dyche’s team as Branthwaite recovered from a groin injury, but it was his form at the end of the season that swayed Moyes’ mind.
When Branthwaite was ruled out for the end of the season with a hamstring injury, Keane stepped in for the final three games.
Everton would win all three whilst conceding just one goal, with the former Burnley man also netting a goal himself against Fulham.
Ultimately, an agreement was found and Keane signed a new contract, but the Liverpool Echo revealed on Wednesday just how close the defender came to leaving the Toffees.
Everton went as far as to line up a deal for a replacement and had a deal agreed with Brighton for centre-back Adam Webster.
Everton made the right decision to keep Michael Keane
Everton will be absolutely delighted to have stuck with Keane over signing Webster.
Not only would the Brighton defender have been unlikely to replicate Keane’s form this season, he physically would not have been available.
Webster is set to miss the majority of the season after undergoing knee surgery in July, in a narrow miss that will have had decision-makers at the Hill Dickinson Stadium counting their lucky stars.
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