Exclusive: Michael Keane to agree Everton extension as talks reach advanced stage

Exclusive: Michael Keane to agree Everton extension as talks reach advanced stage

Michael Keane is in advanced talks over a new deal at Everton, sources have told Football Insider.

The Toffees offered him a new contract with his old terms expiring at the end of last month, and a deal is expected to be confirmed soon to extend his stay on Merseyside.

Keane joined Everton from Burnley in 2017, and made 230 appearances for the club prior to his official exit at the end of June.

The 32-year-old had to settle for reduced playing-time under David Moyes last season, but is now set to continue with the Toffees as they make the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for 2025/26.

Everton want Keane to continue under David Moyes

Everton want to re-sign Keane after his Toffees contract expired

Everton confirmed last month that they were still in talks with Keane’s representatives about his future, but the 12-cap England international was expected to leave having made just 35 league appearances in the last three seasons.

The Toffees are expected to be able to spend more money this summer, but former chief Keith Wyness previously revealed to Football Insider that Everton supporters should not expect “big, dramatic” dealings under Moyes as they make smart moves to bolster their squad and address their lack of depth.

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Football Insider revealed back in April that 32-year-old Keane was likely to depart the Toffees this summer, yet a lack of transfer activity and James Tarkowski’s injury woes look to have swayed the club into attempting to keep him on for another season at least.

Keane was also targeted by recently-relegated Leicester City ahead of his contract expiring on Merseyside, as revealed to Football Insider by former scout Mick Brown, but it looks as if he will continue with the club he has been with for eight years.

Everton have been able to keep hold of Jarrad Branthwaite after tying him down to a new contract, and Keane’s extension will represent even more stability for Moyes as he looks to build a squad capable of finishing in the top-half of the Premier League next season.

The Toffees also want to sign Wilfred Ndidi (Credit: Getty Images)

Everton readying offer to sign Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi

With Keane set to remain in the Toffees’ ranks ahead of next season, experienced boss Moyes will want to continue adding to his squad following a mass exodus of players’ contracts expiring and loanees returning to their parent clubs.

According to former scout Brown, as revealed exclusively to Football Insider, Everton are weighing up a move to sign long-serving Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this summer.

Football Insider revealed in June 2024 that Everton wanted to sign Ndidi as a free agent with his Foxes deal set to expire that same month, but the midfielder opted against a move to Goodison Park and instead put pen to paper on a new deal in the East Midlands.

That contract is believed to have a £9m release clause, and with Leicester now back in the Championship, Moyes is lining up a move for the Nigerian international to bolster his midfield ranks.

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