Burnley are set to return to the Championship next season, and for fans, those who will leave the club will leave a massive void in their squad that kept the Clarets in the Premier League for over six years.
The Turf Moor side have never been a fancied side by neutrals, and it speaks volume about Sean Dyche’s ability to sign unfavourable players for cheap and transform them into names who can compete and thrive in the top-flight.
Whilst a good chunk of the Burnley squad might remain over the summer, the Clarets’ top players, who have been targeted by clubs over the years, will more than likely leave in the coming months, and are here are five who could do just that in the transfer window.
Nick Pope
Burnley’s no. 1 keeper and a player who has long been linked with a bigger move away, Nick Pope could finally win his dream transfer this summer with West Ham reportedly interested in the England international.
Whilst Burnley have reportedly placed a ridiculous £40m price tag on the goalkeeper’s head, this summer will likely see Pope return to the Premier League, with the shot-stopper way too good to play Championship football next season.
James Tarkowski
From one player who might leave to one who is just about to pass the exit door, James Tarkowski has all but left Turf Moor already, with the defender’s contract expiring this summer and the England international unlikely to renew his deal with Burnley despite the platform the club have given the talented centre-back.
With Newcastle United, Tottenham and West Ham all reportedly interested in Tarkowski, the 29-year-old defender is not short of suitors this summer, and it is more than certain that we will see the centre-back return to the Premier League over the transfer window.
Dwight McNeil
Arguably Burnley’s most prized asset, Dwight McNeil has often been the Clarets’ youngest player in most Premier League XI’s and a departure from Turf Moor this summer could be perfect for the England youth international.
Compared to Jack Grealish, the 22-year-old winger could cost a pretty penny for any interested side in the transfer window, though given the number of games McNeil has played in the Premier League in his career, the former Manchester United youth star could be worth the price.
Maxwel Cornet
With a reported relegation release clause of £17.5m, it appears that Burnley themselves were worried that they would one day lose Maxwel Cornet earlier than expected should they be relegated from the Premier League, and this situation now looks like it will become a reality.
With nine goals and two assists in his first year in England, the Ivory Coast international won’t be short of suitors this summer, and for Cornet, the attacker is likely to either return to the Premier League or even be signed by a top European club this summer given the release clause in his Burnley contract.
Wout Weghorst
Burnley made waves in the January transfer window when they signed Wout Weghorst from VfL Wolfsburg after the £25m sale of Chris Wood, yet despite an incredible reputation from Germany, the striker was ultimately unable to save the Clarets from the drop.
And now, just five months after moving to Turf Moor, Weghorst is reportedly set on leaving Burnley, with the attacker more than likely eager to play top-flight football to increase his chances of making the Netherlands’ squad for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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