'Quickly as possible': Nicky Hayen on Burnley's search for new signings

Burnley are aiming to avoid a repeat of the late transfer chaos that blighted the start of their last Championship campaign.

That’s according to new boss Nicky Hayen, who has told the Burnley Express the club are keen to bring in new players as “quickly as possible”.

It comes as the Clarets have been strongly linked with a move for Lille midfielder Ugo Raghouber.

To date, only one new signing has been made in Lluc Castell, a 19-year-old winger from Burnley’s ‘sister’ club Espanyol.

But on the flipside, the Clarets have been far busier in terms of outgoings, moving on Maxime Esteve, Quilindschy Hartman, Lesley Ugochukwu, Jaidon Anthony and Loum Tchaouna.

Martin Dubravka and Vaclav Hladky also left the club at the end of their contracts, while Axel Tuanzebe and Ashley Barnes are now officially free agents.

Two years ago, under former boss Scott Parker, Burnley were left to oversee a last-minute scramble for new signings after a host of late departures during the final week of the transfer window.

Hayen, however, is well aware time is off the essence, telling the Burnley Express: “We try to do it as quickly as possible.

“So every day we're in contact with the sports advisor, with the management, also with the chairman, so they know we want to push for players. But of course, we already have a big squad.

“It's actually a really good collaboration on a daily basis, so they know what we want. The collaboration and the cooperation is actually working quite good.”

Despite admitting Burnley already have a bloated squad of players, Hayen suggests there’s a necessity for new blood and a “new energy”.

“We want new players,” he added. “Sometimes you also need like a new energy into the club and into the squad and I think this is the case, so we want to raise the standards.

“I'm always straightforward. If it's good, it's good, but we always want to improve towards the next step - and if it's not good enough, it's not good enough.

“But you can never be satisfied with good, we always want better. Just try to go to the next step. Even if it's one per cent more, it's one percent.

“This can be a lot and that's why we're here to push every single player, but also staff members to a higher level, including myself. I still can learn every day from everyone.

“I listen to people. Everyone can give their opinion and if it's a good idea, I'm always able to be willing to execute it.”