Everton defender Michael Keane is set to leave Goodison Park on loan during the upcoming January transfer window.
The Lowdown: Keane's season so far
Having been a prominent figure for the Toffees last season, making 38 appearances across all competitions, things have been rather different this term. The defender has featured just three times for Frank Lampard's side across the Premier League and Carabao Cup so far in 2022/23.
Now that the January transfer window is just a month away from opening, it seems as though the Merseyside club have made a decision regarding Keane's future.
The Latest: Keane set for loan exit
According to a recent report from the Liverpool Echo, the Englishman is set to wave goodbye to Goodison Park during the upcoming transfer window.
The report adds that a Premier League trio consisting of West Ham United, Fulham and Leicester City are interested in signing the 29-year-old on loan from Everton.
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The Verdict: Would be ideal for Keane
Given the lack of playing time he has had this season, it's easy to see why Everton think a loan move away from Goodison Park in January would be ideal for Keane.
Bearing in mind how Lampard has the likes of Conor Coady, James Tarkowski, Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate as his other centre-back options, it seems unlikely that, injuries aside, Keane would get a significant haul of minutes across the second half of the season for the Toffees.
Despite the £80k-per-week defender being criticised for his "abysmal" performances in the past by Noel Whelan, that there are reportedly a host of clubs interested in signing Keane in January shows that he can offer something to prospective loan suitors.
If the centre-back can join a club in January on loan where he'd be able to play regularly, this could put him in a good position to return to Everton and have a better shot at breaking back into the team on Merseyside.