Premier League trio Wolves, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest could make late moves for Burnley captain Josh Brownhill with the Championship outfit bracing themselves for offers and in need of further sales.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
After a fabulous start to the season and a flurry of goals, the optimism surrounding Turf Moor has soured a little in recent times.
Burnley lost 1-0 away to early pace-setters Sunderland on Saturday. What’s more, Scott Parker’s squad suddenly looks a lot weaker now than it did a fortnight ago.
Sander Berge, Johan Berg Gudmundsson, Anass Zaroury, Dara O’Shea and Tottenham Hotspur’s new £30 million man Wilson Odobert have all departed over the last two weeks.
HITC can now confirm that Burnley may have to preside over further sales in order to protect themselves against future financial issues. As a result, goalkeeper James Trafford, winger Lucas Koleosho and captain Josh Brownhill are all facing an uncertain future before the window closes later this week.
Newcastle and Wolves eye James Trafford and Luca Koleosho
Newcastle United have renewed their interest in former Manchester City youngster Trafford.
Eddie Howe’s side submitted a £16 million bid for the ball-playing glovesman in June, Burnley demanding closer to £20 million. Newcastle’s interest has been renewed amid reports that Odysseas Vlachodimos – who joined from Nottingham Forest with Elliot Anderson moving in the other direction – could leave St James’ Park on loan.
Koleosho, meanwhile, is a target for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Per BBC Sport, Gary O’Neil’s team saw an initial £20 million offer rejected. Koleosho remains a target, however, for a team who are yet to replace former talisman Pedro Neto.
Wolves have also shown an interest in Eredivisie duo Calvin Stengs and Carlos Forbs, as well as Porto’s Brazil international Galeno.
As for Brownhill, the long-serving Burnley skipper is another with Premier League admirers.
Wolves and Nottingham Forest want Josh Brownhill
HITC can confirm that Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Brentford are all keen on the one-time Manchester United youngster. As are Wolves, two Burnley players on the Molineux wishlist.
Brownhill has just one year left on his contract. As such, Parker’s Clarets side are bracing themselves for the 28-year-old’s departure, though any bid would have to be in excess of the £4 million offer Burnley turned down from Turkish outfit Trabzonspor.
West Ham are long-time admirers of Brownhill – a £9 million signing from Preston in 2020 – but seem unlikely to make a move at this stage.
Former Bournemouth and Fulham boss Parker admitted, after that Sunderland defeat, that a number of players were likely to leave before the window closed. Wout Weghorst and Manuel Benson – the latter keen on a move to Leeds – were left out on Wearside.
So too was Koleosho, though Parker put that down to an injury.
“It’s a big week for us, of course,” Parker told the Burnley Express. “Everyone at the football club is working tirelessly in both aspects to try and bring some players in and no doubt players will be leaving.
“I’ve said it from the outset, players that don’t want to be at the football club and don’t want to be around it, it’s clear that’s not what we’re going to try and develop here.
“I want people here who ultimately want to be part of this and this journey and there’s a couple of little bumps along the way.
“Hopefully we can bring some players in this week. Owners and the guys here in the recruitment team are doing everything in their power to try and get players in.
“No doubt certain players will be leaving.”
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