Everything Nicky Hayen said on Burnley’s transfer deadline day business

Nicky Hayen provided a deadline day transfer update this afternoon during his pre-Middlesbrough press conference.

While the Clarets have an important game to prepare for, the vast majority of the questions were dominated by talk of the club’s ongoing transfer business.

Hayen confirmed the Clarets remain busy ahead of tonight’s 11pm deadline, with ins and outs still on the agenda.

Brighton’s Igor Julio is having his medical this afternoon, while Largie Ramazani is also expected to arrive from Leeds United.

Hayen also discussed the latest on Zian Flemming’s future, why the club didn’t pursue Sunderland’s Jocelyn Ta Bi and why Joe Worrall was allowed to leave, despite Hayen’s wish to bring in more senior players.

Here’s what he had to say in full:

Do you expect the rest of deadline day to be busy?

“Of course it is, but it's always been like this. So everyone tries to work as hard as possible to get things done, in and out, and this will be until the last second of the window.”

Why was Joe Worrall allowed to leave?

“Joe mentioned himself that it was time to move on, because it was already the third season that he was not really involved.

“We had an open conversation at the start when I arrived here. Of course, I was someone who believed in Joe and that's also what I expressed towards him. But of course, we have also a lot from the past we have to carry on.

“It's not only Joe, but a lot of players who are already several years in the same situation and he wanted to move on. We want to have players who are really 100 per cent committed to the club and then you have to make decisions.”

Do you expect more players to leave?

“We're working on these kinds of files to get even players in, but also players out. That's always difficult on a deadline day, but like I said, behind the scenes, we're working on everything that's possible.”

Are incomings dependent on players moving on?

“We're still able to recruit players. We try to have players in, also senior players, because we want a really good mix or a balance between experienced players and young, talented players.

“We want that guidance from the senior players and that's what we're working on and I'm confident that we'll get some deals done.”

Zian Flemming latest

“So clubs of course, until the end of the window, are talking to each other to find agreements. Everyone has a value, which is what I always said.

“Of course there's interest in Zian, but at the end of the day, we will know if he will stay or go.”

Would it be your preference that Zian stays?

“Of course it is. Zian is really important for the team, we know, so I'd rather want to keep him than let him go. But like I said, everyone has the ambition to play at the highest level possible, but there's also a value of the player.

“When, for example, a club pays the value for the player, it will be difficult to keep him. But until then, he's still part of our team.

“We work in a transparent way and that's the way I want to communicate also with the people. So I'm totally aware of what is going on and of course, when someone goes out, we try to replace him.

“But like we said, we still have enough names we can work with and I think the most important thing for us is preparing the game in the best possible way.”

Is the reported £17m fee for Zian correct? It seems a little on the low side.

“I don't know. I just know there are conversations with clubs but I don't know anything about the value that's between clubs.”

If Zian goes, do you expect to replace him with a direct no.9?

“If he goes, and I say if he goes, I think we have to find a replacement.

“We're always busy with options, so if one player goes we also have a list that another player has to come so that's common business as usual.”

Have you got enough time? Could that lack of time scupper Zian’s move?

“Exactly, so then you have how many hours left? 8 or 9?”

Why did the club not pursue Jocelyn Ta Bi deal?

“With Joe leaving you also have a home grown player that has left and you have to also look for these kind of numbers, so that's why. We had to also look for home grown players.”

Wide areas seems to be a particular focus? Why is that?

“Yes, correct, and that's something that we're looking for.

“For example, one type is different than the others and what we miss a little bit or a lot is like depth, to create depth in the back of defences with speed and deep runs.

“So we have a lot of players who are really good to come into the ball and have the technical skills and to make a difference there. But if, for example, a team locks us and try like man marking and we don't find a solution, then we need also players who need depth and this is something that we lack in this squad and this is what we try to improve.”

Left back also a priority?

“Yes, but it's not only about Bash [Humphreys] because unfortunately he's out now.

“But again, we need senior players also who know what it is to defend. The art of defence, of defending is really important and that's a thing that we miss at the moment without blaming anyone.

“Everyone is working really hard but we need to be more consistent and it's not only about defenders, it's also midfielders and offensive players who have to do their job.

“But at this moment, it's a team performance that we have to improve.”

How many players would you like, in an ideal world?

“I don't know, I have to look on my list. So we're busy with some players, but like I said I'm busy now with the game tomorrow that's the most important.

“Of course you want players, but they know what we want so I'm confident that they will get it.

“We try but of course it's not only we who are reaching out to players. Players also want to come and other clubs also have to agree, so it's a really difficult time today, especially before a game.

“Because the only thing what we're actually talking about is transfers, it's not about the important game of tomorrow.”