Burnley want four EFL stars, 20-goal ace and ‘absolute machine’ on radar

Follow us on Google Discover

Burnley are keen on EFL trio Luke McNally, Scott Twine and Joel Latibeaudiere while Vincent Kompany is a big fan of Blackpool defender Jordan Gabriel, according to The Athletic and Lancs Live. 

Despite what you may have assumed – given how many Belgium-based players have been linked with a move to Turf Moor since Kompany was confirmed as Sean Dyche’s successor – Burnley are, in fact, planning to shop around this summer. 

And if links with the likes of Majeed Ashimeru, Mandela Keita and Makhtar Gueye felt like a break from tradition – given Dyche’s preference for homegrown talent – then Burnley’s interest in players based in Oxford, Milton Keynes and Swansea proves that some things still stay the same. 

Burnley want Luke McNally and Scott Twine

The Athletic believe that Burnley have had two bids rejected by Oxford United for McNally. A 22-year-old, 6ft 4ins centre-half, the Irishman is a defender in the Nathan Collins mould. 

“On the pitch, he’s an absolute machine,” says team-mate Sam Long. “He’s big, he’s strong He’s so fast, it’s scary for the size he is.” 

It remains to be seen whether Burnley, who have lost both James Tarkowski and Ben Mee with Collins also attracting interest, return with another offer. 

Reports suggesting the Lancashire outfit are planning a £500,000 bid for Swansea City’s Latibeaudiere certainly suggest a reluctance to place all their eggs in McNally’s basket. The Jamaica international trained alongside Kompany at Manchester City.

Further forward, League One Player of the Year Twine is another leading target. A superb free-kick taker, Twine scored 20 goals last season. Burnley have reportedly submitted an offer already. 

The Athletic believe that one player already plying his trade in the Championship – right-back Gabriel – is a player Kompany likes personally. Formerly of Arsenal and Nottingham Forest, Gabriel is the second right-sided full-back to be linked with Burnley this week after Anderlecht’s Michael Amir Murillo.