Harry Wilson deal dead, as Burnley boss Sean Dyche admits no signings are imminent

With just over three days until the transfer window closes, Burnley boss Sean Dyche admits there is ‘nothing imminent’ in terms of new signings.
Harry WilsonHarry Wilson
Harry Wilson

I understand any potential deal for Liverpool’s Wales international midfielder Harry Wilson will not happen now, after a week where there has been no progress made on that front.

Liverpool are now expected to hold onto the 23-year-old, if Xherdan Shaqiri leaves Anfield, with the Switzerland international facing the exit after not being involved in the Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal on Thursday night.

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So, Burnley face a race against time to add to the squad, in terms of international transfers or from rival Premier League clubs, although they can buy or loan from EFL clubs until October 16th.

Dyche has only been able to bring in keeper Will Norris and midfielder Dale Stephens, and he said: “We’re not further down the line with anything of my knowledge.

“There’s nothing imminent. Let’s wait and see.

“There’s nothing that I know of, that will be coming into the building.”

Chairman Mike Garlick has often spoken of the aim of coming out of each transfer window in a stronger position, but it looks like Dyche could have to contend with a wafer-thin squad,

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He added: “It’s the reality of working here, we’ve been down this road before, we’ll take the challenge on with whatever numbers we’ve got and manage the situation to the best of my ability, the same as I’ve always done.”

However, fit-again James Tarkowski looks set to stay at Turf Moor, and Dyche reiterated: “I’ve never changed my thoughts on him or the situation, he’s an important player to us here, a very good player, a player who continues to develop, and unless I’m told different by the powers that be at the club, then he’ll be here.”

Tarkowski played the 90 minutes against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, after missing the first four games of the season with an inflamed toe, while Ashley Barnes played 69 minutes - his first action since New Year’s Day.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady are closing in on a return to fitness, however, with Jay Rodriguez, Ben Mee and Jack Cork not far behind.

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Matt Lowton will miss Saturday’s trip to Newcastle though, after suffering knee and ankle problems against a city after a challenge from Raheem Sterling.

Dyche said: “I’m pleased we are showing signs of getting players back with Barnesy playing good minutes the other night, Tarky coming through unscathed.

“Unfortunately we lost Matt Lowton, so that’s not ideal.

“He’s almost definitely out, he won’t figure. He got a slight twist on his knee and also his ankle. We’re not sure about timescales.

“But there are signs of others getting back fit, so we’ll hope we can improve that fitness over the international break and get more bodies back.

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“Touch and go with Robbie and Johann, Jay Rod is making good progress - he’s not there yet, Corky is making good progress and will be back on the grass over the coming days, not with us, the sports science team.”

For Barnes, it has been a frustrating time, after undergoing hernia surgery before lockdown, and suffering complications after returning to training: “To be fair, he’s done well with it, it’s been really awkward for him, a really hard road back, the ups and downs.

“He’s listened to us, we gave him a plan of attack when he got right in the end, at first he was chomping and wanted to be back fit quicker than anyone, we had to slow that down, gave him a games programme, and said he’d be ready for the other night to at least figure.

“We got him started because he’s looked fit and well, and he did really well, and we had to be a little bit cautious by getting him off the pitch.

“He’s very hungry to get back regularly so we’ll monitor that as we go.”