Burnley have been linked with moves for Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion defenders.
Burnley are being linked with moves for West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday defenders as Michael Keane’s departure nears.
Wednesday’s Tom Lees is, according to The Daily Mail, on Burnley’s list of candidates to replace the Everton-bound Keane, while The Daily Mirror are crediting the Clarets with interest in West Brom’s Craig Dawson. But despite their Championship status, are the Owls in fact better placed to fight off the Lancastrians’ advances?
Having tied Lees to a five-year deal less than 12 months ago, the well-backed Yorkshire side find themselves in the strongest of negotiating positions.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Tom Lees [far right]
One suspects that only a ridiculous fee – one far higher than the £5 million being speculated – could convince Wednesday to part with the former Leeds United player, while any attempt from Lees to engineer a move – of which there is no indication at this stage – would likely be met with the same response as the one which greeted Fernando Forestieri, the defender’s Hillsborough teammate, during last summer’s transfer window: no chance, only with more expletives.
West Brom, on the other hand, aren’t quite so fortunately positioned, with Dawson recently entering the final 12 months of his contract. Unless a new one is struck soon, the Baggies will face the dilemma of either selling the 27-year-old now or risk losing him for nothing next summer.
Considering Burnley’s location, 15 miles from Dawson’s native Rochdale, and the greater likelihood of being played in his preferred role as a central defender at Turf Moor, one imagines the player would find any Clarets offer appealing.
West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson
And with Dawson boasting 125 Premier League appearances to Lees’ none, the West Brom player is perhaps the more suitable candidate anyway.
Will either of the Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion players end up at Burnley this summer?
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