MY ACCOUNT
Burnley’s six-year spell as a Premier League club is over — but plenty of their stars could still have a future at the top level.
The Clarets’ 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle and Leeds’ win at Brentford last Sunday consigned the Lancashire club to an agonising drop back down to the Championship.
It now looks set to be an uncertain summer at Turf Moor, with financial issues meaning a host of player sales appear likely.
We look at the five names who could be snapped up by a Premier League club during the off-season.
Nick Pope
A host of stunning performances from goalkeeper Nick Pope kept his side in with a chance of survival but with relegation now confirmed, he is sure to have plenty of suitors.
The 30-year-old stopper has deservedly kept his place in the England squad but it remains to be seen whether that would still be the case next season if he is playing Championship football.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has made it clear that it will be more difficult for goalkeepers from the second tier to make the squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
Southgate said in March: “I think when you’re playing in the Championship, you’ve got to be playing at the very top with minimal errors to be able to keep out a goalkeeper who is playing well in the Premier League.”
West Ham are said to be leading the race, while newly-promoted Fulham have also been linked with a move.
Maxwel Cornet
Another standout performer of Burnley’s campaign, Maxwel Cornet would be a handy addition to several Premier League sides.
The Ivorian bagged nine goals during his first season in England, including a consolation in that defeat to the Magpies on the final day.
Early reports indicate the former Lyon man has a £17.5million release clause following relegation and is ready to depart Turf Moor just a year after he arrived.
And the Geordies could add insult to injury by swooping for Cornet if star winger Allan Saint-Maximin departs this summer.
There are even reports that Tottenham might be interested in a cut-price move, meaning the Metz academy graduate could be playing Champions League football next term.
James Tarkowski
A potential free move for out-of-contract defender James Tarkowski has put many Premier League clubs on red alert.
The centre-back is a near certainty to leave Burnley when his deal expires on June 30 and, with six seasons as a regular Premier League starter under his belt, could be a real coup.
Alongside Ben Mee in defence, Tarkowski was integral to Burnley’s long stay in the top division and has been linked with big-money moves in the past.
Both Everton and Aston Villa have been credited with an interest in the 29-year-old, while a switch to Newcastle has been strongly rumoured ever since their new ownership took over on Tyneside.
While Burnley have missed their chance to return a fee for the ex-Oldham and Brentford man, there is life in Tarkowski’s Premier League career yet, it seems.
Dwight McNeil
While Dwight McNeil endured an indifferent season, there could be plenty of clubs who think he deserves another shot in the top division.
And as an English player and still only 22, he is arguably the player the cash-strapped Clarets could attract the biggest fee for this summer.
His seven goals and 17 assists in 147 appearances for the Lancashire outfit is hardly a record to get excited about, though McNeil has shown enough quality to suggest that he could improve in a more attacking team.
While only managing one assist this term, the 47 chances he created ranks him higher than the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Jarrod Bowen and Sadio Mane.
That suggests he could be a good addition to a side looking to support their striker with more creativity.
Wout Weghorst
Another whose time in Lancashire has been short, January signing Wout Weghorst may already be looking for the exit door following their relegation.
The £12m arrival was supposed to be the man to fire Burnley to survival following Chris Wood’s sudden departure to Newcastle, but he managed only two goals in 20 appearances.
But the 29-year-old showed glimpses of quality and with international and Champions League experience, could still possess the capabilities to be a prolific goalscorer in England.
The towering striker certainly has the physical presence for it, while his record of 70 goals in 144 games for Wolfsburg is what had some of England’s bigger names watching him prior to his move to Turf Moor.
And with Qatar only around the corner, Weghorst may wish to see if that Premier League interest remains, to book his place in Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands squad.
