MICHAEL Keane’s Burnley future has been thrown into doubt after he rejected a new four-year deal at Turf Moor.

The 23-year-old had been offered a new contract that would have made him one of the highest paid players at the club as the Clarets tried to ward off interest from Premier League champions Leicester City.

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Instead, they are now braced for another bid for Keane from the Foxes having already rejected an offer that could have eventually totalled £15million two weeks ago.

Keane’s decision to turn down Burnley’s offer is the clearest indication yet that he wants to at least speak to Claudio Ranieri over the possibility of a move.

The Clarets remain determined to hang on to the former Manchester United youngster, who only made his loan spell from Old Trafford permanent 18 months ago, but if a new bid is forthcoming they will face a decision on whether to cash in on the player.

Keane started 44 times last term as Sean Dyche’s side won the Championship title, scoring five goals in the process, including crucial late equalisers in April against Brighton and Middlesbrough.

The former England Under-21 international is highly-rated by Leicester’s head of recruitment Steve Walsh and he impressed in a loan spell at the King Power Stadium in the 2012/13 season.

The Foxes are keen to strengthen their squad as they prepare for a title defence and Champions League football.

Leicester’s established central defenders Wes Morgan and Robert Huth are both over 30, while Morgan has played in three international tournaments with Jamaica in the previous two summers.

Keane still has two years remaining on the contract he signed when moving from United to the Clarets.

But while the Clarets allowed Danny Ings to run his contract down safe in the knowledge they would at least get a fee from a tribunal for the striker, that would not be the case for Keane who will be 25 when his current deal expires.

Burnley could yet stand firm and refuse to sell Keane, in the hope of persuading him to sign a new contract next summer, but that would almost certainly see his value decrease.

Keane’s defensive partner Ben Mee is also entering the final year of his deal.

January signing James Tarkowski, who arrived from Brentford could step in if Keane is sold, while the Clarets also remain interested in Sheffield Wednesday defender Tom Lees.

The 25-year-old signed a new long-term contract at Hillsborough last summer so the Owls will be under no pressure to sell.