Burnley faces crucial decisions as the transfer window nears its close, with Dara O’Shea potentially making a move to Brentford rather than Ipswich.
Burnley’s relegation has led to the need to sell players who are seeking opportunities beyond the club’s current position, making O’Shea’s potential exit a logical move.
O’Shea could leave Burnley if the right offer comes in, and while fans are satisfied with the potential replacements, they are wary of undervalued deals and prefer not to be low-balled in negotiations.
Burnley faces crucial decisions as the transfer window closes on August 30.
Dara O’Shea, 25, is a player potentially leaving Turf Moor, with Brentford and Ipswich Town showing interest. Reports from Football Insider suggest that O’Shea has turned down a move to Ipswich, newly promoted to the Premier League, in favor of joining Brentford.
Burnley is also dealing with several players linked with departures, including Sander Berge, who is expected to move to Manchester United after a strong 2023/24 season.
Unlike Berge, O’Shea is not central to Scott Parker’s plans this season. With Burnley having solid depth in central defense, O’Shea might find it somewhat easier to secure a move back to the top flight in the coming weeks.
Burnley’s relegation is impacting player departures.
Under Vincent Kompany’s leadership in the Premier League last season, Burnley brought in 15 new players during the summer transfer window, which has now made it challenging to retain some of them. The high number of signings may have affected team cohesion, potentially undermining the unity that led to their promotion under Kompany.
With Scott Parker now in charge, Burnley appears to be regaining control and is in a better position to manage player exits, including those with ambitions beyond the club’s current status.
FLW’s Burnley Fan Pundit, Nathan Rogers, suggests that O’Shea could be sold if the right offer comes in: “We’re not in a dire situation where we have to sell every player for financial reasons.”
“We have a few players who joined Burnley with the expectation of staying in the Premier League, so it makes sense that players like O’Shea are being linked with moves. I understand why—he has a considerable potential ceiling.”
“He’s a solid centre-back and versatile, capable of playing on both sides,” he continued. “I don’t think losing him would be disastrous, as we have a deep squad of backup centre-backs who can step in if he departs.”
| Dara O’Shea Burnley Stats 2023/24 (FotMob) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances (Starts) | 33 (32) |
| Goals (Assists) | 3 (4) |
| Yellow Cards (Red Cards) | 5 (1) |
| Tackles Won | 51.3% |
| Duels Won | 60.3% |
| Recoveries | 140 |
Burnley must ensure they make a profit on O’Shea. He joined the Clarets last season from West Bromwich Albion for £7 million.
The allure of Premier League football might be too strong for Burnley to resist, especially given O’Shea’s potential to excel in the top flight, particularly if he continues his current development.
Nathan acknowledges O’Shea’s qualities and would prefer to start the season with him due to his speed, power, versatility, and game intelligence. He considers O’Shea among the best in the Championship but is open to his departure if the price is right.
“I’d rather keep him for the start of the season because he’s fast, powerful, good on both sides, and reads the game well. At Championship level, he’s one of the best in the league,” Nathan said. “However, if we do sell him, it has to be for the right price. I don’t want us to be short-changed. We’re in a strong financial position and shouldn’t accept low offers.”
He concludes that while losing O’Shea wouldn’t be disastrous, the key is ensuring any transfer fee reflects his value, given that Burnley has capable replacements available.