Michael Keane is one of several Everton players who could head for pastures new this summer as his contract runs down at Goodison Park.
As many as 13 current Everton players are currently bound for the exit doors on Merseyside, with Keane among the nine players whose current contracts are heading into their final months prior to the summer.
With a further five players currently on loan at Goodison from other clubs – three of whom Everton have options to buy – the coming months promise to bring plenty of changes to David Moyes’ personnel.
Other than Everton stalwart Seamus Coleman and the currently-injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Keane is the longest-serving player of those out of contract, and looks likely to depart for free at season’s end.
Wolves express interest in Michael Keane transfer
Although Keane quickly lost his place in Everton’s starting XI after Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to fitness last autumn, his strong start to the campaign did not go unnoticed to another Premier League club.
| Player | League Appearances | Starts | Goals | Clean Sheets |
| Michael Keane | 192 | 177 | 13 | 47 |
That club, as reported by the Daily Mail on 10 March, are Wolves, who along with Al-Riyadh of the Saudi Pro League and MLS side FC Dallas, are keeping tabs on Keane as a possible free transfer in the summer.
Keane, described as a “good weapon to have” by ex-Toffees boss Sean Dyche in a BBC interview (25 October), could be joining a Championship club if he signs for Wolves, who are still at risk of relegation.
Everton exit looks inevitable for Keane this summer
Though Wolves are the only team still looking threatened by the Premier League’s bottom three following Everton’s own drive away from the relegation zone under Moyes, they’re well on course to staying up.
That will greatly boost their chances of signing Keane in the summer if the 32-year-old does part ways with the Toffees at the end of June, following eight years and 226 appearances in royal Everton blue.
Even if Wolves are relegated, they could still be the best option for Keane rather than moving abroad, with the chance to take part in a Championship promotion race and likely remain based in the north west.
Keane’s last second-tier campaign came under Dyche, and saw him score five times as Burnley finished atop the pile in 2016 – he could prove to be a secret “weapon” for another promotion hopeful next term.
