Burnley boss Sean Dyche is understood to be chasing the ‘cut price’ signature of Celtic’s Nir Bitton to bolster a problem area in the Clarets’ engine room. The Sun report that Celtic midfielder Bitton is being targeted by Dyche for a January swoop and the story suggests a deal could be done with the Scottish champions for as little as £1million.
The Israel international’s contract at Celtic Park expires next summer, and, with just over six months left on the deal, the Hoops could accept a knockdown fee.
Despite seeing his side get back to winning ways with a 3-0 thrashing of West Ham on Saturday, Dyche knows he needs to boost his options in a number of different positions at Turf Moor.
Central midfield is his priority as Burnley have got through the first third of the season with only three fit options in the middle of the park.
Jack Cork and Ashley Westwood have played in almost every game for the Clarets with Jeff Hendrick shunted out wide to fill in for the injured Johan Berg Gudmundsson.
Summer loan signing Danny Drinkwater has failed to make an impression, starting just one EFL Cup match before an off-field incident saw him ruled out for some time.
The Sun also claim that Burnley will probably ‘pull the plug’ on Drinkwater’s spell, suggesting they may not extend the midfielder’s loan from Chelsea in January.
The club are not paying him his full wages of £120,000-a-week, but have had no value for money from the loan and interest in Bitton is evidence they are looking for alternatives.
The 6ft 4in tall midfielder, who joined Celtic in 2013 from Ashdod, would slot into Burnley’s current wage structure as he is estimated to be on just £12,000-a-week.
The recently-turned 28-year-old can also play in defence and has made six Scottish Premiership, five Champions League qualifying and two Europa League appearances this term for Neil Lennon.
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