--- title: "Profit Players: Burnley sold Michael Keane for more than 11 times the amount they initially paid for him" canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/profit-players-burnley-sell-michael-keane/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Liam Togher" section: "Burnley" published: "2020-09-05T14:00:35Z" modified: "2020-09-05T14:00:35Z" --- # Profit Players: Burnley sold Michael Keane for more than 11 times the amount they initially paid for him **This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.** We all like a free sample every now and then, with the ‘try before you buy’ mantra enabling us to enjoy the use of an asset without an obligation to make a lasting financial commitment towards it. That approach worked wonders for Burnley with regards to their acquisition of [Michael Keane](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-transfer-rumours/everton-fans-laud-possible-michael-keane-exit-to-fc-barcelona/). The [Manchester United academy graduate](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/transfers/spieler/118534) signed for the Clarets on loan six years ago last Wednesday, his [fourth such move](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/transfers/spieler/118534) away from Old Trafford being made off the back of his appearance in United’s galling [4-0 League Cup defeat to MK Dons](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11056735/MK-Dons-vs-Manchester-United-Capital-One-Cup-as-it-happened.html). \[freshpress-quiz id=”315369″\] Those weren’t the most auspicious of cirumstances in which to arrive at Turf Moor and the centre-back had to wait until late November 2014 to make his [first Premier League start](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118534/plus/0/saison/2014/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/1132) for Burnley. However, he then enjoyed a [prolonged run of games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118534/plus/0/saison/2014/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/1132) in Sean Dyche’s starting line-up and, in January 2015, the Clarets signed him permanently in a £2.3m deal (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/transfers/spieler/118534)). Keane was unable to prevent the club from relegation that year but, in his first season as a full Burnley player, he and his team enjoyed a campaign to remember. The defender helped himself to [five goals and three assists in 44 Championship games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118534/plus/0/saison/2015/wettbewerb/GB2/verein/1132) as the Clarets topped the division to ensure an [instant return to the Premier League](https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/36044893), where they have [remained ever since](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-burnley/platzierungen/verein/1132). One of those goals was a [stoppage time equaliser in a 1-1 draw](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36021338) against fellow high-fliers Middlesbrough during the season’s run-in. In October 2016, his impressive performances were recognised with a [call-up to the senior England squad](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37549507), although he would have to [wait another five months](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39275693) to make the first of his [10 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/nationalmannschaft/spieler/118534/verein_id/3299) for the Three Lions to date. He enjoyed another strong season in 2016/17, netting [twice in 35 Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118534/plus/0/saison/2016/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/1132) as Burnley survived in the division for the first time, following their [relegations in 2010 and 2015](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-burnley/platzierungen/verein/1132). He was even shortlisted for the [PFA Young Player of the Year](https://www.thepfa.com/news/2017/4/13/pfa-mens-young-player-of-the-year) award, which ultimately went to Tottenham’s [Dele Alli](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4437980/Dele-Alli-wins-PFA-Young-Player-Year-2017.html). His performances caught the eye of Ronald Koeman, then the manager of Everton, and the Dutchman [brought him to Goodison Park](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40447200) in July 2017 for a fee of £25.65m (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/transfers/spieler/118534)), which represented a profit of 1,115.22% on Burnley’s initial outlay of just £2.3m. \[freshpress-poll id=”316827″\] Keane has since gone on to make [107 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michael-keane/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/118534/verein/29) for the Toffees and was even the subject of recent transfer rumours linking him with a shock move to Barcelona ([OK Diario](https://okdiario.com/deportes/koeman-pide-tres-fichajes-nuevo-barca-depay-keane-van-beek-6036399), via [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8645125/Barcelona-Ronald-Koeman-line-shock-swoop-Evertons-Michael-Keane-summer.html)), where Koeman was [appointed manager](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/1755317/ronald-koeman-is-the-new-fc-barcelona-coach) last month. However, with [James Tarkowski](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131464/History/James-Tarkowski) and [Ben Mee](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/94935/History/Ben-Mee) proving a trusted centre-back partnership at Burnley ever since his move to Merseyside, the 27-year-old has not been greatly missed at Turf Moor, especially as his lucrative sale to Everton enabled the Clarets to bankroll a handsome sum. ***Burnley fans, did the club cash in on Keane at the right time? Comment below with your views!***