Burnley are closing in on the signing of Ameen Al-Dakhil with Sint Triuden agreeing to let the promising Belgium U21 centre-back link up with Vincent Kompany at the Championship leaders, according to Het Nieuwsblad.
While one door closes, as they say, another opens.
Earlier this week, the sporting director of Allsvenskan outfit Djurgardens admitted that talks between themselves and Burnley regarding Sweden international Hjalmar Ekdal had hit the buffers. Per Alan Nixon, work permit problems have scuppered the 24-year-old’s hopes of a dream move to Turf Moor.
Ekdal’s misfortune, however, looks set to work to Al-Dakhil’s benefit.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Burnley saw a £3.5 million bid for Al-Dakhil rejected by Sint Triuden over the summer. The Jupiler League side ‘verbally promised’ the Iraq-born stopper that they would not stand in his way if Kompany came calling again in a future window, however.
As such, with Burnley renewing their interest, it would be a surprise if Al-Dakhil was not donning claret-and-blue by the time February rolls around.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley are close to signing Ameen Al-Dakhil from Sint Triuden
Het Nieuwsblad believe that Al-Dakhil, a 6ft 2ins, right-footed centre-half, may have already played his final game for Sint Triuden. Burnley are once again offering a fee in the region of £3.5 million. Kompany – one of the finest defenders of his generation – hopes to get Al-Dakhil on board ‘as soon as possible’
Per reporter Sacha Tavolieri, Al-Dakhil should soon undergo a medical in Lancashire. Sint Triuden, meanwhile, have already begun the process of identifying a replacement.
“I know Kompany wants Al Dakhil,” Sint Triuden coach Bernd Hollerbach said in August.
“He could have learned a lot from Vincent Kompany at Burnley,” the youngster’s sister, Maryam, added at the time. “Oh well, in football there will always be new opportunities.”
With a move to Turf Moor now closer than ever, those ‘new opportunities’ haven’t taken long to arise.
A new striker is also on the agenda at Burnley. Sam Surridge hopes to stay at Nottingham Forest, however, while Viktor Gyokeres looks too expensive. Coventry City are demanding over £10 million.
Leeds United are also big fans of Gyokeres.
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