Burnley are seemingly keen to sign West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez.
According to a report in the Daily Mail (daily blog, 16:35, June 19), West Bromwich Albion have turned down Burnley’s opening bid of £12 million for forward Jay Rodriguez.
The Clarets have been linked with the West Brom forward for much of the summer, and it seems inevitable that the 28-year-old will be making a swift return to the top-flight following his side’s relegation.
The Baggies, however, will not want to lose Rodriguez on the cheap and they will feel his solid record at Premier League level would warrant a decent incoming fee to prise him away from the Hawthorns.
The versatile forward is capable of playing in several positions in the final third including as a wide forward, and he netted an impressive seven goals last term despite West Brom’s troubling campaign.
Rodriguez came through the youth ranks at Burnley and made over 100 league appearances for the club before moving on to Southampton back in 2012.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche will know of the player’s ties to Burnley and the surrounding area having grown up there, and he will feel he still has the best years ahead of him as he approaches his peak years.
But West Brom rejecting their opening bid is a signal of intent that the west Midlands club won’t want to let him go on the cheap, and they must consider what options are available in terms of replacing him.
The report goes on to say that Bristol City’s Bobby Reid is on their radar, though some sort of swap deal involving Burnley’s Nakhi Wells makes more sense and could soften the blow when inevitably losing Rodriguez this summer.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
