Burnley are reportedly keen to bring Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall to Turf Moor before the new season gets underway.
The Clarets are likely to lose joint-record signing Ben Gibson this summer after a training ground spat left the ex-Middlesbrough captain training with his former club. Norwich are the latest side to be linked with Gibson, with the Canaries looking to bolster their backline after finishing bottom of the Premier League last season.
Worrall would be a welcome addition at Turf Moor given Sean Dyche needs to lower the average age of his squad. The 23-year-old has already made more than 100 appearances for the Reds and was ever-present in the Championship last term.
Dyche recently spoke about the rising transfer fees in the second tier, admitting the days of signing players like Nick Pope on the cheap are over. While Burnley are unlikely to recoup the £15 million fee they paid for Gibson back in 2018, a sale would still help fund a deal for Worrall.
Bringing in another defensive option is even more important considering Leicester City’s interest in James Tarkowski. The Foxes have been linked with Tarkowski several times over the past 12 months, and the prospect of European football might be enough to lure the English international away from Turf Moor.
Kevin Long came into the side for the final six games of ‘Project Restart’ after captain Ben Mee suffered a thigh injury. While the Irishman did a steady job at the heart of defence, another option is needed to add depth.
Jimmy Dunne could arguably fill this void, but the youngster would benefit from another loan spell to continue his development.
The Clarets could find themselves in a bidding war, with Sheffield United also said to be interested in Worrall. It seems like a matter of time until the youngster is playing Premier League football.