Everton: Michael Keane 'quite close' to 194-game target at Goodison Park

Everton could be boosted in their pursuit of Burnley star James Tarkowski as Goodison Park ace Michael Keane is ‘quite close’ to the transfer target, according to Daily Star journalist Paul Brown.

Tarkowski is poised to leave Turf Moor as his £70,000-per-week contract is set to expire at the end of the month and the Toffees are looking to win the race for his signature.

Frank Lampard was appointed as Everton’s manager in January and, ahead of his first full season at the helm, he is eager to link-up with Tarkowski.

The Toffees have made their interest in the 29-year-old clear by already offering a contract worth £120,000-per-week.

With Tarkowski’s Burnley exit being imminent, Aston Villa are understood to have lodged a similar proposal and Fulham are also interested following their Championship title win.

However, transfer insider Dean Jones has previously told GIVEMESPORT that Everton are willing to offer more lucrative terms in order to seal the deal.

Toffees director of football Kevin Thelwell is a big admirer of Tarkowski and even headed to Burnley on a scouting mission towards the end of last season.

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Brown has doubts over whether Everton fans will be excited by Tarkowski heading to Merseyside fresh from suffering relegation to the Championship.

But the journalist feels the two-cap England international, who has made 194 appearances in the top flight, could be the perfect central defensive partner for Keane.

Brown told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m not sure how it would go down with supporters. I think some of them are split a little bit on him.

“He is a good player who I think is actually quite underrated. He has been very, very important to Burnley for