Burnley close to signing West Brom defender - medical set for Thursday
- Planet Sport writer
- 21 June 2023
Premier League new boys Burnley are close to signing West Brom defender Dara O’Shea, according to reports.
Clarets boss Vincent Kompany is looking to bolster his squad ahead of their return to England's top tier - and has identified O'Shea as a key summer transfer window target.
The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international can play at centre-back and in the full-back positions - and is believed to be due for a medical and talks at Turf Moor on Thursday.
West Brom have confirmed they need to sell some star players this summer after missing out on a Championship play-off place last season.
Albion head coach Carlos Corberan managed to steer the Baggies away from the relegation zone after taking over from the sacked Steve Bruce - and O'Shea was one of the first names on the team sheet as they charged up the table.
But their ninth-placed finish meant an end to parachute payments from the Premier League and a summer of selling to balance the books.
Jayson Molumby has been linked with a move to Leeds United - but it seems his Republic team-mate O'Shea will be the first out of the Hawthorns exit door, according to Sky Sports.
Although the loss of O'Shea would be a setback to Corberan's plans, he is fairly well stocked at centre-back, where he has Semi Ajayi, Kyle Bartley and the returning Cedric Kipre fighting for a first-team place.
Kipre, who is out of contract next summer, did well on a loan spell with Cardiff City last summer and returned to pre-season training with the rest of the squad earlier this week.