Analysing and debating what to expect from Burnley in the January transfer window - who could they sign and who might depart?
Monday 30 December 2019 23:02, UK
Burnley will look to add to their squad in the January transfer window, but Sean Dyche has admitted the price of players lower down the pyramid is affecting his plans.
"The days of bargains are few and far between. There's still the odd one, the odd rough diamond, but it makes it harder.
"In the ideal world, yes, you want this group almost third in line, all improving, all learning.
"But in practical terms if we have to spend £4m on a novice, and sign a first-team player for £7m, how do you compute that. How much budget do you need to make that right? Money is king, particularly in the Premier League."
Burnley welcomed back Jay Rodriguez, re-signing him for £10m from West Brom, while Bailey Peacock-Farrell made a £2.5m move from Leeds. Danny Drinkwater arrived on loan from Chelsea while Erik Pieters, Joel Senior and Ryan Cooney were undisclosed arrivals.
But they did lose Tom Heaton to Aston Villa for £8m while Jon Walters and Peter Crouch retired. Stephen Ward and Anders Lindegaard were also released.
Nir Bitton, Celtic [The Sun]; Jamie Hamilton, Hamilton [Daily Mail]; Conor Gallagher, Chelsea [Daily Mail]; Ollie Watkins, Brentford [Lancashire Live].
Sky Sports News reporter Alan Myers...
"Burnley are always looking to strengthen their squad and - as in the summer - they will be targeting a box-to-box central midfielder. They also have the budget to be able to complete a permanent transfer next month.
"In terms of outgoings, Danny Drinkwater is set to return to Chelsea with his loan deal finishing on January 6 and Aston Villa keen to take him. Sean Dyche may want keep him if he performs well over Christmas and New Year's but his spell at Turf Moor has been widely viewed as a disappointment.
"Burnley will also brace themselves for bids for young starlet Dwight McNeil and centre-back James Tarkowski, who was a target for Leicester City in the summer."
Sky Sports will bring you the very latest news from the January transfer market with the return of three shows.
Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday delivering analysis of the biggest stories. Then join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day's news with The Transfer Show.
Meanwhile, the Transfer Talk podcast will also be back at the turn of the year with more expert analysis from here and across the continent.
And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.
