Burnley finished seventh in the Premier League standings last season with 54 points to their name, but they have struggled to find their feet so far in the ongoing league campaign.
Having played 25 games, they have managed to muster merely 24 points and are currently placed seventeenth in the table. Notably, they are just a couple of points above the relegation zone and have some tough months ahead of them.
It has undoubtedly been a forgettable season for them. Burnley have personnel issues all across the team and will need strengthening in the summer.
As of now, the contracts of some of the Premier League stars are set to expire at the end of the season and here are three players whom Sean Dyche’s camp can target in the summer to sign on a free transfer.
Gaetan Bong
Brighton & Hove Albion’s versatile defender Gaetan Bong would be a good signing for the Clarets. The 30-year-old is capable of plying his trade as a left-back as well as a central defender.
Stephen Ward and Charlie Taylor are the only notable left-backs at Dyche’s disposal. But with Ward well beyond his prime, Bong would be able to provide an alternative option as well as push Taylor for a place in the starting lineup.
Stefan Johansen
Fulham midfielder Stefan Johansen didn’t get adequate opportunities under his belt in the first half of the season and was shipped out on loan to Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion during the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old’s contract with the Cottagers will expire in the summer and given the circumstances, he is unlikely to be handed an extension by the Cottagers. Therefore, Burnley could attempt to make him sign on the dotted line.
Johansen is a decent central midfielder who has the tendency to get forward to create chances. He can also play on the right, and his passing is one of the highlights of his game. His set-piece delivery is also commendable which will aid Burnley’s direct approach and reliance on dead ball situations to unsettle the opposition.
Fernando Llorente
Burnley have managed to score just 26 goals so far this term, which isn’t impressive at all. The likes of Chris Wood, Matej Vydra and Ashley Barnes have all flattered to deceive, and Dyche does need a clinical goal scorer next season.
Tottenham Hotspur outcast Fernando Llorente could prove to be a useful asset for them. Harry Kane’s injury and Spurs’ reluctance to enter the transfer market has resulted in some much needed minutes for the Spaniard, but we think he is unlikely to stay on at the club beyond his stipulated contract.
He has the calibre to play for a Premier League club, and at his age and given his playing style, Burnley will be an excellent destination for him to play regular football.
