Exclusive: Don Goodman reveals key Burnley advantage in Michael Keane transfer race | OneFootball

The Sky Sports pundit believes that Keane's past with the Clarets will put them in good stead to reunite with the 32-year-old

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman believes that Burnley hold the advantage over Leeds United in the race for Michael Keane this summer.

The Liverpool Echo reported that the 32-year-old, who has fallen down the defensive pecking order at Everton, is on the radar of last season's Championship top two, as both sides look to shore up their defences ahead of what will be a tough campaign in the top flight.

Keane spent three seasons at Turf Moor before his move to Goodison Park and was a key figure in their 2017 promotion back to the Premier League.

Additionally, Burnley are in desperate need of defensive reinforcement after CJ Egan-Riley departed the club on a free transfer to pursue an opportunity in France.

It's these two reasons why the former West Brom and Wolves forward believes that, if Keane were to leave the Toffees this summer, a reunion at Turf Moor would be the number one option.

Don Goodman feels a Michael Keane reunion at Burnley would benefit both parties

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, pundit Don Goodman weighed in with his verdict on Michael Keane's transfer rumours.

"You would think Burnley would have the advantage as it's a club Keane knows well, having had three good seasons there and helping them get into the Premier League," he said.

The Clarets were relegated in Keane's first season at Turf Moor, but the centre-back scored five times en route to immediate promotion back to the Premier League in the 2015/16 season.

After helping Burnley avoid relegation the following year, he made the move to Everton, where he made at least 30 Premier League appearances per season up until the 2023/24 campaign. In the last two seasons, he's played a combined 26 league games.

Goodman continued: "Michael Keane has not been a regular starter for the last few seasons at Everton, and at his age, he will definitely want to play week in, week out.

"Burnley need to replace CJ Egan-Riley as well, so you'd suspect a move to Burnley would give him that opportunity."

Burnley reunion makes sense for Michael Keane

Despite not being a top-flight regular for the past two seasons, Michael Keane would provide over 250 games of Premier League experience for a Burnley side who are going to need to be dogged at the back to survive this season.

And after losing CJ Egan-Riley on a free after his contract ran out this summer, there is a need for defensive reinforcement this summer at Turf Moor.

Keane and Burnley left things amicable when he departed in 2017, with Sean Dyche calling him a "fantastic servant" to the club.

If he can return and help Scott Parker's side buck the unwanted trend of newly promoted sides suffering immediate relegation, he'd be heralded as a hero.