Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Michael Keane from Everton even though the defender could cost around £50m which is more than Arsenal’s reported budget.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Michael Keane of Everton signs autographs as he arrives prior to the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Everton FC at Turf Moor on December 26, 2018 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 26: Michael Keane of Everton signs autographs as he arrives prior to the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Everton FC at Turf Moor on December 26, 2018 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Michael Keane, who was watched against West Ham by both Arsenal and Tottenham, is the second-best performing Premier League defender in terms of tackles, aerial duels and clearances per game, with only Virgil van Dijk outperforming him.

Arsenal are, of course, in the market for a central defender in the upcoming window but it seems incredibly unlikely they will be able to stump up the sort of money Everton will demand to allow the 26-year-old to go.

Tottenham, who have not bought any players in the last two windows and are just moving into their new home seem even less likely to be able to find that sort of cash unless they sell some of their bigger names.

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Daily Mail 2 April 2019

Under contract until 2022, Keane joined Everton from Burnley in 2017 for £25.65m. He has made 69 appearances for Everton, scoring two and assisting three while picking up five yellow cards.

With Burnley, he played 108, scored seven and assisted five, while he has one goal in even England appearances as well as three in 16 for the England u21s.