Southampton are keen on signing Everton defender Michael Keane on loan this month, according to Sky Sports.

The Lowdown: Orsic move close

The Saints appear to be closing in on their first signing of 2023 in Dinamo Zagreb attacker Mislav Orsic. The Croatia international was due to have a medical on Thursday ahead of a proposed deal worth around £6m.

It looks as if Nathan Jones is already looking at further reinforcements, with Keane -who is sponsored by Nike - seemingly another target.

The Latest: Southampton interested in Keane

Sky Sports stated in their live transfer blog on Thursday (15:59) that Southampton are interested in Keane.

They claimed that signing a new centre-back on loan is one of the Saints’ priorities in this transfer window alongside bolstering their attack.

The Verdict: Makes sense

Keane has fallen out of favour at Goodison Park this season, failing to make a Premier League start under Frank Lampard. The 29-year-old may therefore be open to the idea of moving to the south coast, provided that he is guaranteed more game-time.

He would add plenty of top-flight experience to Jones’ side, something which could prove handy in the second half of the season, with the Saints already conceding 33 times in just 18 league games as they sit bottom of the table and fighting for their Premier League status.

Keane, who has 12 caps for England, has averaged a rating of higher than 7/10 by WhoScored in three previous Premier League campaigns, so if he could replicate that form at St Mary's, a loan move would make sense.