Everton manager heaps praise on former Manchester United defender

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has heaped praise on Burnley defender Michael Keane as a summer move intensifies.

Keane, 24, has emerged as a top transfer target for Everton this summer and Koeman will be able to get a close eye on the former Manchester United defender when his side welcome Burnley on Saturday.

The England international has enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Burnley this season and has been linked with a move to one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs all season.

However, Everton are in pole position for his signature and Koeman has not been shy in bigging up the Burnley star.

“I think he’s one of the young centre-backs with a great future in front of him,” The Daily Mirror quote Koeman as saying. “He’s one of the defenders really involved in the season of Burnley - it’s not easy to score, it is not easy to create against them.”

Keane will only have 12 months remaining on his existing deal at the end of the season and has refused to sign  new deal with Burnley as a summer exit seems a foregone conclusion, especially given the manner of his accomplished performances on his England bow in the last international break.

In fact, only Steve Cook (199) and Ben Mee (174) have completed more headed clearances in the Premier League this season than Keane (165).

For more stats on Michael Keane, click here to visit his WhoScored player page