Keane's contract at Everton is set to expire (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Michael Keane is one of four Everton players due to be out of contract at the end of this month whose future remains unresolved. On Monday, the Blues released a statement saying they were offering new contracts to Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye, while continuing to liaise with representatives of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Keane.
Then, on Wednesday, after receiving his OBE at Windsor Castle, Everton manager David Moyes said: “I think we’ll secure the ones that we really want to secure and make sure they’re here, and obviously we know we are going to have to bring in some new players, that’s obvious.”
Would Keane be one of those players you want to secure? We asked members of the ECHO sportsdesk for their opinions on the matter...
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Chris Beesley
When it comes to Premier League appearances for Everton, Michael Keane sits 17th on the all-time list with 196 games (in between Neville Southall on 207 and Idrissa Gueye on 194). If he was to stay for another season or two, he’d be moving up into the territory occupied by the likes of Dave Watson, Tim Cahill, David Weir and Duncan Ferguson.
Few Blues players have had their form scrutinised as closely as Keane in recent years, but I think that if he was happy to agree terms with the Blues over a new deal to continue his current role within the squad (as fourth choice centre-back) I don’t think many sensible Evertonians would begrudge him that. I think the ball is in the player’s court on this one though when it comes to accepting what would seemingly be reduced terms – something that Abdoulaye Doucoure has already rejected – and whether he wants to move elsewhere in the search of more regular minutes.
When Keane first arrived at Goodison Park in 2017, the year he made his England debut, in a £25million move from Burnley, he was the club’s most expensive defender. He’d end up winning a dozen caps and for his first five seasons at Everton was a regular in the side.
Since 2022/23, it’s been more of a bit-part role but Manchester City apart, Keane, who is a model professional and exemplary character to have within the group, has more than often proven to be an able deputy when called upon and we all know he’s got a goal in his locker as well. Given that the Blues might have to shell out somewhere in the region of £20million to replace him, I’d be happy to keep Keane as a squad player if that satisfies him.
Matt Jones
If Keane was willing to stick around with his salary and playing prospects reduced? Then why not.
The defender has been a much maligned figure in recent years, albeit cherished at times for his goalscoring ability. Whenever his name has been on the teamsheet there have been pre-match winces aplenty.
But if he was to agree an extension now? Perhaps things would be different.
Clearly the trio of James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O'Brien are ahead of Keane in the pecking order. The supporters know that, the manager knows that and so does Keane.
So he would only likely get playing time during cup competitions or when injuries or suspensions hit. That could potentially change the perspective around him.
It would also leave Everton with one less job to do this summer. If Keane was to move on then they would need to find a fourth centre-back, especially if Moyes sees O'Brien filling in at right-back at times.
Filling that role is probably tougher than it sounds. Everton don't have any academy prospects that look capable of stepping up, meaning another experienced player - likely on big wages - or another rising star - who would cost money up front - would need to be sourced.
It's not a dream position to be in in the squad. It's probably why Keane will likely look for a new challenge as a result.