Everton are confident of snatching the services of Michael Keane from Burnley this summer for a fee of £28m, The Sun reports.

What's the word?

A player who's grabbed the headlines since last summer, Michael Keane has excelled since leaving Manchester United for Burnley in 2015 and is now rated as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who played 16 times for the England U21 side, has attracted a host of attention from top clubs in the Premier League, including Chelsea, but Everton are confident they'll win the race for the player.

A staggering fee of £28m is being reported, which would make Keane one of the most expensive English players of all-time behind Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Rio Ferdinand and Andy Carroll.

Why Everton?

Whilst Premier League champions-elect Chelsea are chasing his services, Keane could earn more opportunities at Goodison Park and may have the opportunity to force his way into Gareth Southgate's plans ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

Everton have switched their attention to Keane after conceding defeat in the race for Southampton's Virgil Van Dijk and see the 24-year-old as the ideal recruit to their central defensive options- with Phil Jagielka out of favour currently and turning 35 this summer.

Last summer's signing Ashley Williams isn't too far behind, as he turns 33 this summer, which leaves Everton with just 25-year-old Ramiro Funes Mori as a senior defensive option- and Keane could come in to partner the Argentine.

Jagielka is likely to leave this summer, whilst Williams has a season or two left, and the arrival of Keane would allow greater time for the young talents of Mason Holgate and Tyias Browning to develop further.

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