Sean Dyche says Burnley received no offers for Ashley Barnes and had no plans to sell the rumoured Newcastle United target

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Reports claimed Newcastle United were interested in signing the Burnley striker.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has told the Lancashire Telegraph the Clarets received no offers for Ashley Barnes, a rumoured Newcastle United target, during the summer transfer window.

The Daily Mirror reported last month that Newcastle, along with Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough, were keen on signing Barnes, for whom Burnley were “willing to listen to offers”.

But according to Dyche, nothing came of the alleged interest, and bids would not have been entertained either way.

“We made it clear back in the summer, we’re not under pressure to sell anyone,” he said. “Obviously, contractually, that’s different. It was a different ball game with (Michael Keane) Keano and Andre (Gray), we all know that.

“But if they’re under contract, we’re under no pressure, it would be our planning, not someone else’s.”

Burnley striker Chris Wood

Burnley brought in strikers Chris Wood and Nahki Wells from Leeds United and Huddersfield respectively at the end of August, restricting Barnes to only three substitute appearances this season.

But Dyche assured the Austrian remains a part of his plans. “I think a lot of Barnesy, everyone knows that,” he added.

“I think, in the ideal world, you have a group who know exactly how you work, the culture, and rub off on each other, and new players come in and are quickly informed how it is by the older players.

“We’ve got a healthy balance of that. The additions mound into what we want quickly, it saves you having to inform them all the time.”

Burnley striker Ashley Barnes (centre)

And Dyche speculated that if Barnes was to be sold, he would cost “a lot more” than what Burnley paid for him in early 2014.

“That was three and a half years ago – £450,000,” Dyche said. “Look how much the market has moved on, he’d be worth a lot more than £450,000.”

Newcastle strengthened their attacking options last month with the signing of Stoke City striker Joselu, having sold Daryl Murphy to Nottingham Forest earlier in the summer.

Would Barnes have been a worthwhile signing for Newcastle United?