Everton could let Michael Keane leave the club in the next transfer window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Toffees may allow the central defender to exit Goodison Park after falling down the pecking order under boss Frank Lampard.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

How has Everton's defence performed this season?

Everton drafted in both James Tarkowski and Conor Coady during the summer transfer window, and the pair have regularly found themselves at the heart of the Merseyside outfit's backline.

With Coady and Tarkowski in defence, the Toffees have conceded just 17 goals - the lowest total in the bottom half of the Premier League - reducing Keane to one substitute appearance in the top flight this campaign.

With Mason Holgate also in front of him, Keane's only other game-time has been in the Carabao Cup, but with Everton now out of that competition there is increased doubt over his first team opportunities in the second half of the season.

What does Dean Jones say about Michael Keane's situation?

Jones thinks Everton could be looking to offload Keane in the upcoming transfer window, along with Moise Kean, as both seem destined to leave the club.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Yeah, I mean, they're definitely looking. They're open to Michael Keane leaving, from what I'm told.

"We'll probably see both Keane and Kean leaving in 2023 because Moise Kean will end up leaving permanently as well.

"I think it's natural that both of those are heading towards the exit door at the moment."

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

Who would be interested in Keane's services?

Keane played 38 times for Everton last season, is a former England international and at 29 years old would be a smart signing for a club looking for defensive reinforcements.

He's been heavily linked with a January move to Nottingham Forest in a cut-price £15million deal, but it would be questionable whether Everton would sell to a relegation rival at that time in the season.

Despite the Toffees' admirable defensive record, it's scoring goals that has been their biggest issue and is why they find themselves just outside the bottom three, just a point above Steve Cooper's Forest.

Keane signed for Everton from Burnley in 2017 and has played in 189 games for the club, scoring 11 goals. However, time seems to be running out on his Goodison career.

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