Journalist Alex Crook has suggested that Southampton have moved on from reported transfer target Michael Keane.
It was reported earlier this week that the Saints were ‘knocked back’ in an approach to sign Keane on loan by Everton.
The Goodison Park outfit are ‘not keen’ on loaning him out to a rival at the bottom of the Premier League, and would prefer to sell him outright.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Crook has suggested that even though Nathan Jones’ side would like to sign a central defender, and have ‘held talks’ over Keane, they are likely to be exploring other targets now:
“Alcaraz is done, and then it’s all about a central defender and a striker.
“They’ve held talks with Everton about Michael Keane, they’ve not been able to come to an agreement there. So, they are maybe exploring other targets.”
TIF thoughts on Keane to Southampton…
The St. Mary’s outfit should not feel too aggrieved with missing out on Keane, who has been heavily criticised in the past.
The centre-back only ranks in the 12th percentile for blocks, 39th for tackles and 5th for passes attempted per game of all his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (FBRef), and at 30 years of age, is a player past his best.
He currently earns £80,000-per-week on Merseyside, with only James Ward-Prowse earning more in the whole Saints squad.
Nonetheless, Southampton would be right to walk away from this deal, with still a few weeks left of the window remaining to bring in a top centre-half.