Burnley manager Sean Dyche insists the club will not be forced into selling star defender Michael Keane this summer.
Keane is widely expected to leave Turf Moor this summer after an outstanding campaign in the Premier League with the likes of Tottenham, Everton and Liverpool reportedly chasing his signature.
The England international will only have 12 months remaining on his existing deal in the summer and has reportedly informed Burnley he will not be extending his stay as a summer exit beckons.
However, Dyche has sent out a remainder that Burnley will not just stand aside and sell their best player without a fight.
“I actually god told via a TV screen that he will be leaving. It was news to me as manager,” Sky Sports quote Dyche as saying in his pre-match press conference.
“The reality is nothing has changed. He is focused on the job at hand. He knows the job at hand. He has certainly delivered performances for himself and the club.
"Any information that will be given will be in the summer and it will be only if it is an appropriate situation for all parties.
“He is under contract – it is as simple as that – and he knows that. We have got an open dialogue with him and his agent and they both know how the club works. They are well in the picture of any situation – if there is any which there is not at the moment."
Only Steve Cook (204) and Burnley teammate Ben Mee (175) have completed more headed clearances in the Premier League this season than Keane (166).
For more stats on Michael Keane, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
