KEANE CHASE GETS DYCHE’S BACK UP NOW

SEAN DYCHE does not bat an eyelid when rival managers ask him if they can sign Michael Keane.

He is just flabbergasted that some of them talk about their interest so blatantly.

The Burnley boss accepts it is “not rocket science” that Keane (top right) is a wanted man.

And the centre-back’s value has soared after winning his first England caps.

Keane, 24, was assured against Germany and Lithuania – international displays that made it virtually certain he will leave Turf Moor this summer.

His Burnley contract runs out at the end of next season and Keane has rejected a new deal, alerting Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton, not to mention his old club Manchester United.

Keane returns to Premier League action today, seeking to help the Clarets take a step closer to survival at the expense of Tottenham.

Dyche is certain his defensive rock will not crack under the additional attention.

He was still taken aback, though, to hear Everton boss Ronald Koeman say in January that the No.5 – brought to Burnley from Old Trafford for £2million in January 2015 – was among the players he wants to sign. Dyche (below left) said: “Do I get asked about Keano? Not more than any other player. The usual chit-chat. It’s not rocket science to work out there are a few interested. “But the game has changed radically. Everyone knows everything. It’s like an open book now. Managers just talk openly about contract situations, who they’re after, what their situation is. “If a manager conducted himself like that 10 years ago, he’d be asked: ‘What do you think you’re doing? That’s an illegal approach’.”