In-demand striker on Burnley's radar as free agent market booms
Following promotion from the Championship, targeting free transfers brings into play the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his departure from Everton, and strikers such as Callum Wilson and Jamie Vardy.
Parker has added to his squad in other areas so far this summer, with German goalkeeper Max Weiß and defenders Quilindschy Hartman and Axel Tuanzebe arriving.
Jaidon Anthony's move from Bournemouth is among the raft of loans that have turned into permanent deals but Parker has been keen to add a No 9 to his squad to lead the attack on the club's return to the top-flight after a year in the EFL.
There is understood to be serious interest in Arokodare, 24, who has an excellent record in the Belgian Pro League with Genk. It is understood that the clubs are apart on valuation at the moment, with Genk looking for £25million to land the Nigeria international.
Arokodare has been linked with other Premier League clubs following two-and-a-half seasons at Genk, who stand to make a huge profit on the small fee paid to Valmiera in Latvia in 2023.
He has two seasons left on his contract, with Burnley hoping the asking price will lower as the summer window progresses.
Burnley strategy with loans
When Burnley were promoted under Vincent Kompany, they saw their Championship loans thrive elsewhere the following season. Kompany's team struggled all campaign, while Ian Maatsen reached the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, Taylor Harwood-Bellis was promoted with Southampton and later called up for England, while Nathan Tella was an 'Invincible' with Bayer Leverkusen.
This time around, Burnley have secured four of their Championship loans from last season into permanent deals. Bashir Humphreys (£10 million) from Chelsea, Marcus Edwards (£8.4 million) from Sporting Lisbon, Jaidon Anthony (£8 million) from Bournemouth and Zian Flemming (£7 million) from Millwall means there will be continuity from the promotion squad.
Who have they signed?
As reported by Telegraph Sport, Newcastle have been in talks over a deal for England goalkeeper James Trafford, which Burnley seem to be planning for with the arrival of Weiß in a £4.3 million deal from Kalsruher.
Tuanzebe can play right-back or centre-back and has Premier League experience with Ipswich Town, while Hartman is an exciting left-back who was capped by Netherlands while coming through the ranks at Feyenoord.
The club are also in the running for Lens midfielder Andy Diouf, 22, but the deal for the Frenchman is not completed yet.
Which free transfers are available?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has announced he will leave Everton after nine years at Goodison in which he produced the iconic winner against Crystal Palace in 2022 which saved the club from relegation. Everton were 2-0 down in the game and looked to be heading for the Championship.
The 28-year-old has struggled with injuries and playing regularly has been the issue for the player, who was back-up to Harry Kane in England's squad for the Euros in 2021. He had a superb goals-to-game ratio and clubs looking for firepower may look at him on an incentivised deal.
Callum Wilson is also out of contract at Newcastle United and while there have been talks over fresh terms, nothing has been agreed. He had very limited action last season - two Premier League starts - but when playing regularly has the knack of hitting the target.
Jamie Vardy has announced his Leicester City departure and his form last season during a relegation fight suggests he can still do a job for a Premier League at the age of 38. Factors in his next move will include whether he will be a regular starter, or a player who comes off the bench for one of the bigger teams. His status as a Premier League legend is secured, but is there one more chapter?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Lots of positives for Heckingbottom after cup win
Preston North End manager Paul Heckingbottom was full of praise for his side as they put their name in the hat for the second round draw following a 1-0 EFL Cup win over League Two was Preston's first win of the season after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Queens Park Rangers in their opening Championship sees them host newly-relegated Leicester City (15:00 BST) who scored a late winner to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in their opening fixture."We spoke a lot about last season, there were a lot of good performances that didn't end up in win, the only way to put the game to bed is taking those chances," Heckingbottsom told BBC Radio Lancashire."When we had the bodies last season, our bench was really effective, we know how important that is going to be."Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
'I'd be surprised if Havertz doesn't play more than Gyokeres'
Kai Havertz and new striker Viktor Gyokeres will "offer something completely different" this season for Arsenal, according to BBC football reporter Alex move to the Gunners this summer had left Havertz's position as first choice in question but Howell is confident Mikel Arteta will exploit the value of both forwards."It's definitely competition and it was really interesting to see Havertz on Saturday [in the 3-0 win over Athletic Club] when he replaced Gyokeres," Howell told a special Arsenal edition of the Football Daily podcast. "The goal he scored was one of the most unlike Havertz goals I've ever seen from a ball hooked over the defence and him running past defenders. It's going to be interesting as Havertz is one of Arteta's favourite players."He loves what he does, he loves how clever he is and how much he links the attack. Although it doesn't seem like there is a natural place for him at the moment, I'd be surprised if he doesn't play as many if not more games as Gyokeres."That's because he knows the system and he's proven it for Arsenal in the league and in Europe as well."They'll offer something completely different, which is exactly what Arsenal need."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Williams 'buzzing' with Baggies debut despite loss
West Brom defender Alex Williams said he was "buzzing" to make his debut for the Baggies in their Carabao Cup exit to Derby Rams won 3-2 on penalties after Joe Ward's stoppage-time leveller at The Hawthorns, with Aune Heggebo putting the hosts in a Wales Under-21 international right-back, said he was pleased to play despite the result, having been told just four hours before kick-off."I found out I was starting in the meeting before the game," he told BBC Radio WM."It was a mixture of nerves and excitement. I was in game mode, but I was told four hours before the game. It doesn't give you a lot of time to get nervous."You are so focussed and I took the positive energy from the crowd and put it in my performance."It is a good mix, but wanting to get on the ball helped me." Williams spent time on loan at non-league seventh-tier side Stratford Town last season and is hoping for more senior opportunities in the coming weeks."You get experience from everywhere," he added. "That helped me in terms of physicality; having pre-season with the first team helped me get up to speed so I was waiting for an opportunity. When I heard I was starting, I was buzzing."Hopefully I get more opportunities."
