New Barcelona coach Koeman line up Everton’s Michael Keane as Pique replacement

New Barcelona coach Koeman line up Everton’s Michael Keane as Pique replacement

Ronald Koeman is planning a shock move to bring Everton defender Michael Keane to Barcelona, according to reports.

The Dutch boss was officially named as the Catalans’ new head coach on Wednesday after signing a two-year deal at the La Liga giants.

Koeman brought the England international to Goodison Park from Burnley in 2017 for an initial £25million fee.

And according to Spanish news outlet OK Diario, the new Barcelona boss is keen on linking up with the centre-back again and has placed the 27-year-old on his summer shopping list.

Other reported Koeman targets for Barcelona include Lyon striker Memphis Depay and Ajax midfielder Donny Van de Beek, both of who have played under the Dutch boss at international level.

The La Liga club have promised wide-ranging changes this summer after the sacking of ex-manager Quique Setien this week.

Setien’s last game in charge of the La Liga club was their humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich last week’s Champions League quarter-final.

Keane, on the other hand, helped Everton achieve a 12th-placed finish under Carlo Ancelotti in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has made over 100 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, including 31 in the league last season.

Keane received his first England call-up and cap before he joined Koeman at Everton in 2017 and has since played 10 times for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad.

The player was also capped an international youth level for both the Republic of Ireland and England.

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