West Ham plotting raid of Everton for Michael Keane if they are relegated

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West Ham will make a summer swoop for Michael Keane – if Everton go down.

The England defender, 29, was rising through the Manchester United ranks when current Hammers boss David Moyes was at the Old Trafford helm. And the Scot remains a big admirer of Keane, who joined Burnley in 2015 before a £25million move to Goodison Park in July 2017.

Struggling Everton go to title-chasing Liverpool on Sunday in desperate danger of dropping out of the top-flight. If the worst happens and Frank Lampard’s outfit are relegated into the second tier, a major exodus is expected as the club attempt to ease their growing financial crisis.

That will be the signal for West Ham and Moyes to offer Keane, who has 12 England caps, an immediate route back into the Premier League.

The Hammers are struggling in the central defensive area right now – and Moyes is keen to strengthen that position in the close season. He regards Keane, who would cost around £20m, as the right man to add much needed cover at the back for the Europa League semi-finalists.

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