Clarets still keen to strengthen ahead of deadline day
Twenty four little hours - it is all that remains of the summer transfer window. It could be a busy day for Burnley, who begin the Premier League season at home to Southampton on Saturday. The Clarets added Jay Rodriguez and Erik Pieters earlier in the window and completed a move for goalkeeper Bailey-Peacock Farrell having allowed Tom Heaton to join Aston Villa for around £8million.
Sean Dyche would still like to further strengthen if the right player at the right price becomes available while he has insisted all summer that any departures will be done on the club's terms and the future of James Tarkowski has been the main talking point in recent days while there has also been speculation regarding the futures of Kevin Long and Matej Vydra. We take a look at the issues that might crop up before the window closes.
Tarkowski. The Burnley center-back has been linked with a move to Leicester City and is highly thought of by Brendan Rodgers. But, the Foxes are not prepared to go above £30million for the 26-year-old despite selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United for £80million earlier this week. The Clarets value Tarkowski higher than that and Leicester is unlikely to return with a new offer so it seems as though, as things stand, he will be staying at Turf Moor.
The defense. The Tarkowski situation has led to Burnley being linked with a host of defenders in recent days. The club is long-term admirers of Dael Fry at Middlesbrough and offered £8million for the center-back earlier this week. The Championship club wants around double that before entertaining a deal and at this stage, it looks as though the Clarets will take a step back.
Kevin Long has attracted interest from the Championship but the Clarets would be unwilling to allow him to leave without having a fourth center-back option. Given that there is only 24 hours left it seems increasingly likely that the four center-halves will remain unchanged at Turf Moor.
Midfield additions. The centre of the park has been Burnley's main priority this summer but as of yet, they have not managed to secure a signing. The Clarets haven't given up on bolstering the midfield and are interested in Chelsea's Danny Drinkwater on loan.
Deals for Kalvin Phillips at Leeds and Victor Camarasa at Real Betis are unlikely with the latter close to joining Crystal Palace. And with the Clarets having Jack Cork, Ashley Westwood, and Jeff Hendrick as senior central options in the absence of the injured Steven Defour, Burnley will continue to search for the right deal to supplement the squad.
Any other business. Joe Hart has been linked with a move away from all summer and with Nick Pope entrenched as No.1, there is a chance the former England star will leave Turf Moor with Bailey Peacock-Farrell having arrived from Leeds United to further swell the keeper ranks. But, with the Clarets able to sell players to European clubs past the deadline a deal for the 32-year-old could be done after tomorrow.
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