The Burnley transfer 'link' that won't go way as Clarets linked with 199 career goal striker again

It’s a rumour that seems to come up during every transfer window….

Published 19th Jan 2021, 11:50 BST- 2 min read

Troy Deeney shakes hands with Sean Dyche during the Premier League match between Burnley and Watford at Turf Moor on September 26, 2016 in Burnley, England.

The bookies are once again linking Burnley with a move for Watford captain Troy Deeney, who is one strike shy of 200 career goals in all competitions.

Turf Moor has been repeatedly mentioned as a potential destination for the striker, with Burnley named as favourites to sign Deeney back in July.

The 32-year-old goal-getter found the net 10 times in the Premier League last campaign but could not prevent his side’s relegation.

Burnley have been installed as 20/1 contenders with SkyBet, with Sam Allardyce's West Brom the front-runners at 3/1.

The link between Deeney and Dyche is an easy one to make given the Clarets boss was linked with a move for the player back in 2014.

Dyche admitted, however, that the Clarets would have struggled to afford the Birmingham-born man.

"He is among many players I admire but we have a certain brief. We can't spend £8m on players, I assure you," Dyche explained seven-years ago.

Indeed, there exists clear respect between Dyche and Deeney with the pair having worked together at Watford during his time as assistant manager and manager.

They were engrossed in conversation after Burnley's 1-0 win over Watford at Turf Moor last season, and Deeney previously stated: “When he [Dyche] took over as manager [at Watford] in 2011 it was the biggest turning point in my life. That was when I became a man."

But it remains to be seen whether Deeney would fit the profile if Burnley were looking for a striker, given they already have Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, Matej Vydra and Jay Rodriguez.