Everton eye new defender as Keane exit looms | OneFootball

Keane Set for Everton Exit as Transfer Window Nears

Summer shake-up looms at Goodison Park

Michael Keane is increasingly likely to leave Everton when his contract expires at the end of June, sources have informed Football Insider. The 31-year-old centre-back, who joined from Burnley in 2017, appears to be heading for the exit without any fresh contract talks underway.

Keane’s departure is expected to be part of a significant squad overhaul, with up to 14 first-team players potentially leaving the Toffees this summer. The club is preparing for its highly anticipated move to Bramley-Moore Dock, and that transition seems to coincide with a period of restructuring on the pitch.

Of the players likely to depart, nine are out of contract, including Keane, while another five are approaching the end of loan spells. Among them, Jesper Lindstrom, Armando Broja and Carlos Alcaraz all have clauses that could make their switches permanent, but sources suggest Everton have yet to make any firm decisions on those options.

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No new terms for Keane

Despite the growing list of players under consideration for contract renewals or exits, Keane’s situation remains stagnant. According to Football Insider, there has been “no update” on Everton’s stance regarding a new deal for the defender, making his exit all but inevitable.

While speculation continues to swirl around Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s future, Keane’s impending departure has flown under the radar, with no major transfer talk involving the ex-Man United academy graduate. This quiet yet decisive move aligns with Everton’s wider plan to rebuild around key young talents, rather than veterans out of contract.

Centre-back search underway

With Keane on course to leave, Everton have already turned their attention to potential replacements. At least one new centre-back is expected to arrive in the next transfer window, as the club look to bolster a defensive unit that has struggled with depth throughout the campaign.

Former England international Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Cameron Carter-Vickers would be a better stylistic fit for David Moyes’ defensive blueprint than Keane. The Celtic defender, who has grown in stature in the Scottish Premiership, is seen as a more dynamic and physical presence at the back—attributes Moyes is keen to integrate.

Additionally, the Toffees have been linked with a move for Maxime Esteve from Burnley, in what would echo the club’s 2017 acquisition of Keane himself. Esteve, who arrived at Turf Moor in January, could emerge as a viable target depending on Burnley’s league status and Everton’s budget.

Branthwaite remains untouchable

While exits dominate the narrative at Goodison, one player remains central to the club’s future plans: Jarrad Branthwaite. Everton are understood to be unwilling to sanction a sale for the highly rated defender, who has attracted interest from several Premier League giants.

As revealed by Football Insider, former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson said the club would demand no less than £60million for Branthwaite. It’s a stance Moyes is reportedly firm on, as he looks to build his backline around the 21-year-old.

For Everton, the coming months will mark a turning point—not just for the squad, but for the identity of the team moving into their new home. Keane’s departure may be quiet, but it symbolises the start of a new chapter at Goodison.