KVC Westerlo striker Lyle Foster has told his team-mates that he is on his way to Burnley, Het Nieuwsblad reporting that Vincent Kompany’s Championship leaders could invest up to £9 million in the South Africa international.
The Clarets may not have a prolific, orthodox number nine at their disposal but, with the goals shared out so efficiently at Turf Moor, it doesn’t really seem to matter.
No one in Kompany’s squad has hit double figures in the Championship thus far. But, with Jay Rodriguez, Nathan Tella, Manuel Benson, Anass Zaroury and Josh Brownhill all managing between five and nine respecitvely, Burnley are still the most free-scoring team in the whole of England’s second tier.
It’s not even close, either.
Kompany will be hoping that Foster, a former Monaco youngster, can add a different sort of weapon to Burnley’s multi-faceted frontline. Strong and aggressive but quick and skilful too; Foster is a 6ft 1ins centre-forward in the mould of, say, Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Burnley cannot afford to meet Coventry’s demands for Gyokeres, per Lancs Live. They presumably see 22-year-old Foster as a viable, affordable alternative. Het Nieuwsblad say that Burnley will pay £6 million, rising to £9 million, for the South Africa international.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley are close to signing KVC Westerlo striker Lyle Foster
In 21 Jupiler League games, Foster has eight goals and four assists this season. The report adds that he bid farewell to his team-mates following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Zulte Waregam; informing the rest of the Westerlo squad that he will be boarding a flight to Lancashire sooner rather than later.
A Bola add that Foster has agreed to join Burnley side club hurtling towards promotion back to the Premier League.
Kompany and assistant coach Craig Bellamy were spotted in the crowd during Westerlo’s Jupiler League clash with Genk. Foster will become Burnley’s second Belgium-based signing of the winter window, following Sint Triuden defender Ameen Al-Dakhil. He will hope to emulate the impact of Benson, Zaroury, Josh Cullen and co at Turf Moor.
“Since I met Lyle, he has made huge strides,” former South Africa coach Hugo Broos tells Het Nieuwsblad. “A year and a half ago, he was introduced to me as a great talent.
“Everyone knows he has talent, and he also has the potential to break through internationally. A year ago, there were still many doubts about him. He has to get rid of those now.”
Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson, meanwhile, admits Burnley have made an offer for Antoine Semenyo. Foster’s arrival could bring an end to their pursuit of the London-born Ghana forward.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
