Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
West Ham United have turned their attention to Everton defender Michael Keane as Nuno Espirito Santo searches for an experienced leader to strengthen his backline.
The Hammers have explored several centre-back options throughout the closing stages of the transfer window, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Emmanuel Fernandez, Diogo Leite and Victor Nelsson.
According to ExWHUemployee, Keane is available to leave Everton and West Ham have already discussed a potential move for the 33-year-old.
And a fresh update on Friday has strengthened those claims even further.
Ex reports that West Ham have confirmed Keane is a target because they view him as the kind of 'experienced leader at the back' capable of supporting the club's younger players.
West Ham's defensive recruitment has taken on added importance following a difficult start to the Championship season.
Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos started together against Burnley and Charlton, with Nuno's side conceding four goals and collecting just one point.
Now West Ham want somebody capable of organising the players around him.
The former Manchester United defender has made 229 Premier League appearances for Everton since joining from Burnley in 2017, as well as winning 12 senior England caps.
Keane featured in 33 Premier League games for Everton, starting 29 and playing almost 2,600 minutes.
Keane also knows exactly what it takes to get out of this division.
He started 44 Championship matches for Burnley in 2015/16, scoring five goals as Sean Dyche's side won the title with 93 points and earned promotion back to the Premier League. He was only 22 at the time.
A decade later, West Ham would be getting a vastly more experienced version of the same defender.
That follows a recruitment theme we've already seen this summer.
Joel Piroe and Manor Solomon both helped Leeds win promotion from the Championship in 2024/25.
For a club whose only real objective this season is getting straight back into the Premier League, that experience clearly carries value.
Everton defender Michael Keane
Everton defender Michael Keane
Perhaps the most revealing part of ExWHUemployee's update is the specific reason West Ham like Keane.
West Ham already have young defenders such as Airidas Golambeckis developing around the first team.
But Nuno wants someone who can help them.
Ex said the Hammers see Keane as a player who can provide leadership while supporting those younger members of Nuno's squad.
That fits with information provided earlier this week, when Ex reported that West Ham were specifically exploring experienced Premier League centre-backs with leadership qualities.
Keane has also been praised for such qualities in the past, specifically relating to how young players can learn from him.
In 2017, former Man United and West Ham centre-back Rio Ferdinand described Keane as a "throwback" and explained that "other youngsters should look at him for inspiration."
Ferdinand also went on to call Keane a "great sponge" and "very mature," suggesting he makes the perfect role model for young players finding their feet at senior level.
Nothing appears to have been agreed yet, but ExWHUemployee stresses that Keane isn't the only centre-back under consideration, with West Ham looking at several players offering similar experience and leadership.
The Hammers haven't been reported to have submitted a bid either, nor is there any suggestion yet that Keane has agreed to leave Everton for the Championship.
But there have been discussions and Everton are understood to have made him available.
West Ham have identified him as someone who fits the exact profile Nuno wants before the window closes.