Everton are in talks to sign Burnley’s Michael Keane and have offered James McCarthy in part exchange, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Clarets are keen on landing Republic of Ireland international McCarthy, 26, and that Everton are hoping to use that to their advantage in their pursuit of Keane.
The report also says that the Toffees are looking to secure at upwards of £20million for McCarthy, and that Burnley have said in discussions they want to secure a deal whether involves their 24-year-old defender Keane or not.
Midfielder McCarthy was very much a fringe player in the last campaign, making just seven Premier League starts for Ronald Koeman’s side, scoring a solitary goal in a 6-3 win over Bournemouth in February.
The arrival of Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen from Ajax will only further limit the 26-year-old’s game time, and may be hoping for a move to secure more first team action.
Burnley’s Keane meanwhile has established himself as a Premier League quality defender following his side’s first season back in the top flight following promotion, making 35 out of a possible 38 appearances on the way to Premier League survival in 16th place.
His impressive form earned him a call up to the senior England side, having made 11 appearances for the U21s, and he made his debut for the Three Lions in a 1-0 defeat to Germany back in March.
He would provide competition to the likes of current centre-back pairing Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka at Goodison Park, with Ramiro Funes Mori the only other recognised senior centre-back in the Everton squad.