Burnley boss Sean Dyche hints at more big-money deals
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After a quiet summer, things are starting to happen at Burnley, who announced the club-record signing of Steven Defour this week. Manager Sean Dyche says it might not be the last time the Clarets make a big-money signing either before the window closes.
Defour, signed from Anderlecht for £7.35m, smashed the Lancashire side’s record-transfer, which previously stood at £6m for Andre Gray 12 months ago.
Before that, the Clarets’ record stood at a very humble £3m.
With fellow Premier League side Manchester United shelling out over ten times as much for Paul Pogba, Burnley’s transfer deals may be considered small fry by some.
But Dyche has stressed that the £7m paid for Defour is a big deal for one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, and the Turf Moor boss also stated Burnley may yet break their record again before the window closed on August 31.
So, who might be the man Burnley have in mind?
While the Clarets probably won’t be bringing players like Alexandre Lacazette anytime soon, Bristol City hitman Jonathan Kodjia is a more plausible option.
The French-born Ivory Coast striker hammered in a fine 19 goals for a struggling Robins side in last season’s Championship.
Having adapted to the demands of English football, the 6ft 2in centre forward could be ready to add some real presence for Burnley in the Premier League.
With a contract running until 2018, any fee in the region of £8m would seriously test City’s resolve.
Patrick Bamford is another who Dyche could be alluding too.
The striker has been cast out by Chelsea more times than a fisherman on a summer afternoon, and would again see Burnley fork out between £7m-10m.
Like Kodjia, Bamford hasn’t proven himself in the top tier, but again, he’s yet to have a proper crack at it.
Burnley play their cards close to their chest, but Dyche’s comments suggest that Clarets fans should keep very much alert in the run up to deadline day.
The Clarets play the second match of their Premier League return this weekend, when Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool head to Lancashire.
Burnley are 11/2 outsiders to grab their first points against the Reds in the league since 1975.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
