Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton and Leicester City reportedly want to sign Dwight McNeil from Premier League rivals Burnley.
Dwight McNeil might have dominated the gossip columns this week but the Burnley winger is not getting carried away yet, with speculation linking him with the likes of Everton, Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, in quotes reported by Goal.
Few had heard of the England U21 international this time last year but he has burst onto the scene since then, establishing himself as one of the first names on Sean Dyche’s team sheet with his superb crossing ability coming in handy for a team who rely heavily upon targetmen Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood for goals.
Dyche predicted back in July that McNeil would become a man in demand sooner rather than later and his premonition came true this week when TEAMtalk claimed that Leicester were leading the race to sign the £30 million-rated wideman in January.
Everton and Wolves are also interested, the report adds.
But, as you might expect from a footballer who has learned his trade under Dyche, McNeil is keeping his feet on the ground.
“I’ve got to focus on my football and if that comes around it comes around in time. The lads here and the gaffer try to keep me level-headed,” said a man once released by Manchester United.
“I think the most important thing is for me to concentrate on my football and see where that takes me in the future.
“You can’t get too far ahead of yourself because I’m still 19, I’m still young, I’m learning and I’m still maturing as a person and a player. We’ll just have to see what happens.
“My agents tell my family to ignore it and just concentrate on the football side of things and they’d take care of that side if it ever came to it.”
McNeil points out that, at the age of just 19, he needs to continue playing regularly at such a key point in his development.
Joining a club like Wolves, Everton or Leicester, who arguably have more quality options in wide areas than Burnley, would leave McNeil vulnerable to a long spell on the bench.
The grass is not always greener elsewhere and McNeil knows that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
