Dwight McNeil has stated that he ‘heard’ that the likes of Aston Villa and Everton were seemingly looking at him this summer, as he told Sky Sports News (28/09/21 at 5:50 pm).
The Liverpool Echo did report back in August that the Burnley winger was a ‘prime target’ for Rafa Benitez at Everton.
And Villa were possibly looking to add him to their books with the forthcoming sale of Jack Grealish.
In the end, the 21-year-old stayed at Turf Moor, as Villa added winger Leon Bailey to their ranks and Everton brought in Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray.
But when McNeil was asked about that summer rumours, this is what he had to say.
“I heard it, but nothing came about it,” said McNeil. “When I asked my agents the question, they hadn’t heard anything.
“When I spoke to my dad and family about it. The main thing, for me, at the time, I am still a Burnley player.
“I think, in the summer, it was important for me to still keep thinking about Burnley and my ambitions are with Burnley this season.
“The main thing is that I am here and happy to be at the club.”
McNeil has plenty of years left in his tank in order to take his game to the next level.
But it seems as though he needs to boost his numbers and stand out in a defensive-minded team in order to get noticed a lot more.
Last season, he provided five assists and scored two goals for Sean Dyche’s men and he is yet to get off the mark during his campaign.
The one problem facing him is that he isn’t playing in a Leeds-type system where they create chances galore, but a more efficient side that prefers to play deeper.
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