Why Everton must land the Burnley duo of Michael Keane and Andre Gray this summer

Ronald Koeman’s Everton are guaranteed European football next season following a solid debut campaign for the Dutchman at Goodison Park.

The Toffees brought in the former Barcelona defender for the sacked Roberto Martinez in the summer after the club struggled to an 11th place finish in the Premier League last term, and Koeman has lifted spirits round the blue half of Merseyside with a decent season.

Everton will finish seventh in the top-flight this term regardless of results over the coming days, and indeed their own trip to Arsenal on Sunday, and that position secures them a spot in Europa League qualifying given the cup winners this term will already have qualified for European competition.

And that caps off a fine first season for Koeman at the club, but attentions will already have turned to how they can bridge the gap between themselves and the top six next term, with the summer transfer window crucial in their bid to do just that.

And two men they have been linked with in recent days are Burnley’s Michael Keane and Andre Gray, both of whom have shone for the Clarets in the top-flight this season.

Centre-back Keane has missed just two of their 37 Premier League matches this term and been a big part of their trip to the 40-point mark this season, while striker Gray has bagged nine goals to help Sean Dyche’s men stay in the top-flight.

However, they are two men who would certainly benefit Everton in their quest to bolster their squad this summer, and thus are deals they must get done this summer.

And that’s because the duo have seriously impressed in the Premier League with a Burnley side that have exceeded expectations this term.

Very few people gave Dyche’s men a chance of survival based on their previous campaign in the top-flight, but both Keane and Gray are a key reason why they will be playing Premier League football next season.

24-year-old Keane has been a revelation for the Clarets with several impressive and match-winning displays at the back, and he has got everything that is needed to succeed in the Premier League over the coming years.

He is dominant in the air and has the strength to go toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful forwards in the country, yet he also reads the game well and is comfortable on the ball.

His performance on his England debut, in Germany and as part of an unfamiliar back three, was absolutely superb and one of maturity and expertise beyond his years, and that is the sort of defender Everton need given their own struggles at the back this term.

Ashley Williams has come in and done reasonably well in his first season at Goodison Park, yet long-term injuries to Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes-Mori leaves Koeman with a depleted backline over the coming months, and likely into the start of next season.

Youngster Mason Holgate has done well deputising in their absence but with the future of club captain Phil Jagielka uncertain, Koeman needs to bolster his options with genuine and proven quality at this level – Keane fits the bill.

He is destined for great things given how seamlessly he has adapted to Premier League football over recent seasons, most notably this term, and a club like Everton, who are ambitious and want to be a part of the powerhouses of English football over the coming years, would be ideal for him.

As it would Gray, who himself has proven to be an excellent forward at this level this term.

There was much talk about whether he would be able to replicate his stunning Championship season, in which he netted 23 times in 41 games for Burnley, in the top-flight, but a return of nine goals and two assists in 25 starts is a great effort for a striker in a side near the bottom of the division.

The 25-year-old has had some difficulties with his form this term, but there’s little doubt that every time he is on the field, he carries a threat. He is an excellent finisher and rarely misses the target when the opportunity is presented to him, and regularly takes up good positions and forces defenders out of their comfort zones.

And with the future of Everton striker Romelu Lukaku far from certain, Koeman simply must strengthen his forward options, and with Gray having just a year left on his deal at Turf Moor, the Lancashire-based club may be forced to sell him this summer.

He is obviously not as good as Lukaku and probably doesn’t do as much for the team as the Belgium international, but Gray has been proven his ability in the Premier League this term, and alongside Keane, both would benefit the Everton squad next season.

Thus, it’s a double deal Koeman must get done this summer.