Everton defender becomes transfer target for multiple clubs as contract ticks down

Michael Keane is the subject of growing interest as he approaches the final six months of his current Everton contract. The centre-back will be a free agent next summer should he not agree an extension to his eight-year stay on Merseyside.

Keane will be able to sign a pre-contract deal from January 1 with clubs outside of England and can count teams in Europe and the MLS among his suitors. Premier League outfits are also monitoring his situation.

The 31-year-old became a peripheral player last year after the emergence of Jarrad Branthwaite. But the injuries that have hampered the 22-year-old this season have presented an opportunity at the back and Keane has fought off competition from summer signing Jake O’Brien to make nine league appearances in the Blues’ opening 13 league games.

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With goals against Bournemouth and Ipswich Town, Keane is one of the club’s top scorers and has enjoyed a revival among supporters due to his displays before the return of Branthwaite.

Keane missed the 4-0 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday with a knock that is likely to keep him out of the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to Goodison Park on Wednesday.

His form this year has boosted the growing interest in a player Everton signed from Burnley for an initial £25m in 2017 but who is part of a large contingent of first team stars whose contracts are due to expire in the summer.