Southampton move to save David Moyes from making another horrendous West Ham signing as reports make a new Michael Keane claim.
West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Everton outcast Keane since the summer window.
An exclusive from The Daily Star during the last window claimed Hammers boss Moyes is a big admirer of the 29-year-old.
And journalist Paul Brown recently told GIVEMESPORT that he thinks West Ham will get the Everton man this month.
With Craig Dawson keen to leave West Ham for family reasons, it is clear Moyes is going to need a new defender.
Especially given the injury issues involving Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd, the fact 34-year-old Angelo Ogbonna is likely in his last season and Thilo Kehrer has been woeful since arriving from PSG.
But it appears the Saints could be about to stop the Hammers from committing another transfer sin.
Because Southampton have moved to save Moyes from making another horrendous West Ham signing as reports make a new Michael Keane claim.
According to the likes of The Athletic and Sky Sports, Southampton are looking to beat relegation rivals West Ham to the signing of Keane this month.
The reports state that Saints boss Nathan Jones wants Keane for his leadership skills and the club are exploring a loan.
But Everton are believed to only be interested in a permanent deal after paying Burnley £30m for Keane back in 2017 (BBC Sport).
Moyes has proved he can dramatically improve players and get the best out of them with Dawson a case in point.
But West Ham should run a mile from any deal for Keane – so the fact Southampton may not beat the Hammers to Keane are a blessing in disguise.
Initially Keane impressed at Goodison Park and became an England squad regular for a spell. In fact, in 2020 his form was rewarded with a new Everton contract until 2025.
Since then, though, the alleged West Ham and Saints target’s Everton and England career has nose-dived. He has been ridiculously error prone for Everton over the last couple of seasons.
And Moyes cannot afford to make another bad signing at West Ham. The Scot has spent over £235m in the last two summer windows with few success stories.
The £26m signing of Nikola Vlasic proved bad judgement with Moyes giving up on the Croatian after one season despite never giving him a run in his preferred position.
Kehrer may have only cost West Ham £10m but has been hapless and despite both scoring in the draw at Leeds, £86m duo Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta have failed to work out as expected so far.
Maxwel Cornet arrived at West Ham for £17.5m but has been out injured for three months and could miss much of the remainder of the season too.
Meanwhile Flynn Downes, who Southampton were also said to be interested in during the summer, has looked the best bit if business at West Ham but barely gets a game under Moyes.
if the Hammers do make signings this month, the manager has to get them right.
Southampton could be about to save Moyes from himself on this one.