Burnley Preparing for Life Without Key Defender as They Weigh Up Move for Reading Star

​Burnley have identified Reading centre-back Liam Moore as a possible replacement for Michael Keane, according to reports in the ​Mirror. 

Liverpool and Manchester United are expected to battle it out for Keane's signature this summer as the Clarets become increasingly resigned to losing their star man. 

One advantage from Keane's expected sale will be the £25m windfall they would reportedly receive, and the Mirror suggests that manager Sean Dyche is eyeing up Moore at Reading as a replacement. 

The Royals suffered penalty-shootout heartache in the recent Championship play-off final at Wembley and after an impressive season, a number of first-team stars are being courted by Premier League clubs. 

Moore himself has little experience of top-flight football, that's despite being on Leicester City's books for five years prior to his move to the Madejski last summer. 

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (R) leaps a challenge from Reading's English defender Liam Moore (L) during the English FA Cup third round football match between Manchester United and Reading at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on January 7, 2017. / AFP / Oli SCARFF / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

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The 24-year-old was regularly loaned out by the Foxes and had spells at Bristol City, Brentford and Bradford. 

Having agreed a permanent move to Reading 12 months ago, Moore has excelled in Jaap Stam's side and his consistency at the back is what led to him making 47 appearances throughout the 2016/2017 season. 

The defender signed a four-year deal when joining the Royals, so they would hold all of the cards when it came to negotiating with Burnley. 

However, their failure to win promotion will count against them and Moore could be lured away should the chance to finally make his mark in the Premier League come his way. 

Burnley exceeded many people's expectations in the top-flight last season by managing to avoid relegation, as they finished in 16th place with 40 points.