Burnley change focus to Jutkiewicz

Burnley are believed to be closing in on a deal for Middlesbrough’s Lukas Jutkiewicz.
Lukas JutkiewiczLukas Jutkiewicz
Lukas Jutkiewicz

The Clarets are thought to have matched Middlebrough’s £1.5m asking price for the 25-year-old, who netted seven goals in 20 appearances on loan at Bolton over the second half of last season.

Burnley have identified the former Everton forward Lukas Jutkiewicz, as well as Sunderland’s Danny Graham, as alternatives for Watford’s Troy Deeney, with the Hornets holding out for far more than the Clarets’ offer - believed to be between £5-6m - they rejected last week.

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It is the only official bid Watford have received amid reported interest from Norwich City and Swansea City, both linked with offers in excess of £5m.

And with Fulham paying £11m for Leeds United striker Ross McCormack, Watford feel their prize asset - who captained the side in their 7-0 friendly win over Feldkirchen on Tuesday - is in a similar bracket after netting 45 goals in two seasons, to McCormack’s 37.

Watford are also not forced to sell to balance the books under the ownership of the Pozzo family - a far cry from Sean Dyche’s time in charge at Vicarage Road when he saw the likes of Marvin Sordell and Adrian Mariappa cherry-picked.

Aston Villa and West Brom have also been linked with the former Walsall man.

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Burnley had previously been linked with Jutkiewicz in January, as they chased the signature of Ashley Barnes.

Barnes eventually moved from Brighton for £450,000, while Jutkiewicz joined Bolton on loan.

He has also attracted interest from the likes of Derby County, Bolton, Wigan and Wolves this summer, with Middlesbrough wanting a fee in excess of the £1.3m they spent to sign him from Coventry City in January 2012, despite him not figuring in Aitor Karanka’s plans.

Graham, meanwhile, played under Dyche at Watford before joining Swansea City for £5m in the summer of 2012. The 28-year-old was on loan with Hull City and Middlesbrough last season, netting seven goals over the campaign after failing to hit the net for the Black Cats.