Liverpool & Everton Left To Battle Over £25m Deal After Star Snubs Man Utd Move

Managers are now pressing ahead with their plans for the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, more on the future of Michael Keane…

Liverpool and Everton will battle it out over the signing of Burnley defender Michael Keane after a proposed £25m return to Manchester United collapsed, according to the Daily Mail.

Keane began his career at United having joined the club at 11 years old and progressed through the youth ranks but was forced out on a series of loans after struggling to break in to the first team set-up.

The centre-back eventually made a permanent £2m move to Burnley in 2015 and has gone on to develop in to one of the most highly-rated defenders in English football over the past two year.

The 24-year-old has been acknowledged at international level after making his debut for the senior England team earlier this year and he’s attracted plenty of interest from the upper echelons of the Premier League.

The Mirror reported last month that Liverpool were hoping to fend off competition from United after supposedly agreeing personal terms in principal with Keane over a move to Anfield.

United have always been considered the front-runners with the Daily Mail reporting recently that Keane was all-set for a dream return to Old Trafford in a £25m deal.

However, the Daily Star are citing a report from The Times today that claims Keane pulled the plug on his proposed move to United after they wrapped-up the signing of Victor Lindelof last night.

It’s understood Jose Mourinho wants to sign two new centre-backs but Keane decided to snub a return to his boyhood club due to concerns over the amount of playing time he’d get.

The Daily Mail say Everton are now favourites to sign Keane in a £25m deal but Liverpool are also still in the hunt and could yet snap-up the defender ahead of their Mersey rivals.

Jurgen Klopp is in the market for another centre-back as he knows he needs to tighten up their leaky defence if Liverpool are to challenge in the league and Champions League next season.

READ MORE –> Liverpool transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

Keane is seemingly on the German coaches radar but we’ll have to wait and see whether Liverpool step-up their interest now that United are no longer in the running for his signature.