English Premier League clubs Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Burnley defender Michael Keane when the winter transfer window opens in January.

Keane, who will turn 24 at the start of next year, is one of the most sought-after young backfield players in Europe today and three top English sides are currently interested to sign him in.

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The England international received his first call-up with the Three Lions in the recent UEFA World Cup qualifiers and it had reportedly given him "food for thought" about his future with the Clarets, according to the Daily Star.

Burnley is a newly-promoted Premier League side and is not expected to compete for this season's English top-flight title as well as to qualify for the Champions League tournament next season.

Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are top squads that could possibly provide him both opportunities and so it would be hard for Keane to turn down any proposals coming from the said three clubs, especially if they also offer him a huge salary increase.

Burnley is reportedly hopeful that Keane will not leave them anytime soon. The club is said to be preparing a contract extension for the versatile center-back to lock him down for the long term.

However, Keane's agent disclosed that the player will only sign the new deal if a release clause is included, signaling his intention of leaving the club if the opportunity arises.

The Hard Tackle reported that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is keen on adding Keane to his defensive roster at the Stamford Bridge for a fee of $30.5 million. But the former Italy national team manager is said to be aware that he will face a tough challenge from rivals Arsenal and Liverpool if he wants to pull off the deal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking at Keane as a potential long-term replacement for team captain Per Mertesacker who is nearing retirement. Wenger reportedly sees the young footballer as "more agile and comfortable on the ball" than the veteran skipper and could use him to further his plans for a title this season.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2016, Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC, Michael Keane, Burnley FC