BURNLEY have not turned down a £7million bid for defender Michael Keane from Stoke City, the Lancashire Telegraph understands.

A national newspaper claimed that the Premier League Potters had made unsuccessful attempts to snap up the 23-year-old with a £5m offer, plus lucrative incentives.

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But the Clarets have not been the subject of any bids and sources close to Stoke confirmed the Potters had made any offer.

Keane, an ever present for Burnley this season, has attracted the attention of top flight teams, with Everton believed to be keen suitors as they look for potential replacements for wanted man John Stones.

Stoke have also been monitoring the former England Under-21 international’s progress at Turf Moor this season.

But Keane, who joined the Clarets in the summer of 2014 on loan from Manchester United and went on to make the deal permanent the following January in a move worth around £2m, has already stated his intention to stay with Burnley during the January transfer window and help the club fight for a second promotion in two years.

Keane has been aware of speculation about his immediate future, but earlier this month the centre half attempted to put an end to it by saying: “I’m really happy here at Burnley and I won’t be going anywhere in January,” he said.

“It’s not distracting. Obviously I see it but I don’t know whether to believe it or not. It’s just one of those things.

“If it’s true then it can be very flattering.

“You just take it as a compliment. It just proves that you’re playing well if there’s teams coming after you. I think I’m defending well consistently now.

“I want to try and get this club back to the Premier League, like everybody else.

“Everyone in the team, the manager and the fans have been great with me so there’s no reason for me to leave.

“I think I’ve developed a lot here under the gaffer. I’ve had all the experienced players helping me as well. I’m hoping to keep that up and get back in to the Premier League and do it there as well.”

Since joining the Clarets Keane has built a reputation as one of the country’s brightest defensive prospects.

On the eve of the eve of the season he was cited by former Old Trafford team-mate Rio Ferdinand as one of the three best young centre backs in the country, along with Stones and Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier.

He was top scorer in the early part of the season, with three headers from set pieces in August, while he has helped the Clarets record 10 clean sheets so far.