Chelsea Chasing Burnley Star
Britain Soccer Football – Burnley v Hull City – Premier League – Turf Moor – 10/9/16
Reuters / Anthony Devlin
Chelsea are preparing a bid for Burnley defender Michael Keane, according to reports in the Mirror.
According to the British newspaper, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has identified Keane as the potential successor to club captain John Terry.
The Blues’ defense has made a shaky start to this season, with the partnership of Gary Cahill and Terry not looking as secure as hoped. Conte reportedly sees Keane as the man to shore things up at the back.
Keane came through the ranks at Manchester United’s academy, and made it to the first team at Manchester United. However, appearances were few and far between, as he found himself behind Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Phil Jones, Marco Rojo and Daley Blind in the pecking order.
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He was loaned out to Burnley in order to gain first team experience, but the Clarets made the deal permanent for a fee of around £2 million, after the youngster put in a string of impressive displays.
Just a season later, however, Chelsea are looking to make a move for the youngster, and are rumoured to be preparing a bid around the region of £25 million.
Keane, who still has two years left on his current deal with Burnley, had also been drawing interest from Premier League champions Leicester City. The Foxes made several attempts to prise the 23-year-old away from Turf Moor, but their maximum valuation of £15 million was deemed too low.
Chelsea are ready to meet Burnley’s valuation for Keane, and despite the Clarets wanting to hold on to the defender till at least the end of the season, a bid worth £25 million may prove too good to turn down.
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