'If he leaves': Sporting boss addresses Burnley's interest in ex-Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards

It’s understood the 26-year-old is closing in on a January move to Turf Moor in an initial loan deal.

The winger has been out of favour at Sporting since Borges took over from Ruben Amorim following the latter’s move to Manchester United.

But when asked about Edwards’ potential departure, Borges insists there are no issues.

"I have no problems with him, he's a good kid,” Borges said, as quoted by Portuguese outlet Record.

"If he leaves, it's a sale of the club, releasing a player who isn't a solution, that's all.

"Edwards isn't a solution for the coach, it's not a problem at all."

The Clarets are keen to bolster their forward line before Monday night’s 11pm deadline as they bid to clinch an instant return to the Premier League.

Despite sitting a point outside the top two, Scott Parker’s side have struggled to consistently create and score goals this season, finding the back of the net on just 36 occasions in 29 league games.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Burnley are currently in advanced talks with Edwards, who is also said to be of interest to promotion rivals Sunderland.

Parker knows Edwards well from his time playing and coaching at Spurs, where the winger came through the academy.

Joining the club at the age of eight, the wide man spent 13 years with the North London outfit, but only made one senior appearance.

The 26-year-old subsequently signed for Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães in 2019 on a free transfer.

After scoring 17 goals in 77 appearances, Edwards earned a move to Sporting three years later for a fee of around £6m.

In 120 games for Sporting, Edwards has scored 24 goals and bagged 26 assists, but has fallen down the pecking order following the recent departure of Ruben Amorim to Manchester United.

Edwards has also represented England from Under-16 level to Under-20 level.