Burnley have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this year and that is certain to lead to interest in their star players come the summer window.
Michael Keane and Andre Gray are the two names who have been profusely linked with moves away, both of whom will leave in the summer in my opinion.
Michael Keane and Andre Gray are the two names who have been profusely linked with moves away, both of whom will leave in the summer in my opinion.
Too big for the club?
Keane, for me, has outgrown Burnley and he is far too good not to be playing for one of the top sides. His footballing ability and defensive solidity are two attributes that are sure to make him a wanted man at the end of the season and it is believed he is on the radar of his former club, Manchester United.
In today’s market, I have no doubts that Keane is worth upwards of £30 million, especially given Manchester City paid nearly £50 million for Stones, who to me, is no better than Keane.
Gray has been linked with one of the top sides too, in the form of Tottenham, which is a surprise.
Yes, Gray has hit eight goals this season, but his general play is very, very poor and this is why a move to Tottenham wouldn’t work – his quality isn’t of the necessary level to play for a top side.
When you look in the Championship and see players like Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia going for fees of around £15 million, that surely makes Gray worth at least £25 million.
Another player who could leave in the summer months is Steven Defour. The Belgian only arrived at Turf Moor in August, but his short tenure has been blighted by injury.
At times when he has played, he’s been played out of position and even when he’s played in Centre Midfield, he doesn’t seem happy to be at Turf Moor.
There is rumoured interest from China in Defour and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him depart come the summer window.
All in all from the sales of those three players, Burnley could collect a tidy sum of around £60 million if my predictions for player prices are to be believed.
Seven Summer signings?
I believe that without the sales of those players, the Clarets still need another four quality players, so with the replacements for those players sold needed too, they could be looking at around 7 players needed.
For me, Burnley need to sign two central midfielders, one winger, two strikers and a full back for each side. Without all of these additions, I would say that Burnley may struggle next season.
Some of the targets I would be looking at are Dale Stephens and Charlie Taylor, both on free transfers and both would fit into a Dyche team very well.
Andrew Robertson could well appear on Dyche’s radar again after missing out on him in January, whilst a return to Turf Moor for Jay Rodriguez would be a good move in my opinion.
My List of probable ins and outs:
Out: Andre Gray, Michael Keane, Steven Defour, Jon Flanagan (return to Liverpool), Scott Arfield, Sam Vokes and Joey Barton (possible ban).
In: Shane Long, Jay Rodriguez, Charlie Taylor, Kieran Trippier, Dale Stephens, Kamil Grosicki and Aaron Mooy
