Premier League newcomers Burnley have reportedly set their sights on Juventus’ Arkadiusz Milik and Genk’s Gift Orban while experienced centre-half Gojko Cimirot could be on his way to Turf Moor on a free transfer.
The Clarets have only been a top-flight team for a matter of weeks, but already you’d need more paper than in the birthday section of Clinton Cards to keep track of all the players linked with summer moves to Vincent Kompany’s side.
This week alone, Leeds defender Cody Drameh, former Bristol City starlet Hans-Noah Massengo and a Poland international striker have all been linked with Burnley.
Arkadiusz ‘Arek’ Milik, according to Corriere dello Sport, could be available for a cut-price fee of just £7 million. The former Ajax, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen striker scored nine goals on loan at Juventus in 2022/23 and is unlikely to have a future back home at parent club Marseille.
If Milik’s season can best be described as underwhelming, however, you cannot make the same claim about Gift Orban’s. The latest baby-faced forward to explode onto the scene in Belgium, the jet-heeled Orban scored 20 goals in just 21 games for Genk.
Orban is nearly a decade Milik’s junior, but with that potential comes a price. A rather big one, too. Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, after announcing Burnley’s interest, adds that Genk are looking for around £21 million.
Such a fee would make Orban Burnley’s new record signing, overtaking forgotten man Wout Weghorst.
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Burnley scored 87 times en route to the Championship title under Kompany, but have since lost Ashley Barnes to Norwich City. Top scorer Nathan Tella, meanwhile, could return to Southampton.
The Lancashire outfit are also in need of additions at the other end of the pitch; Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ own loan deal expiring. Gojko Cimirot, a 30-year-old capped over 40 times by Bosnia and Herzegovina, would bring some potentially vital experience to a youthful Clarets backline.
Linked with Burnley via HBVL, Cimirot announced his departure from Standard Liege this week. The free-agent would become the latest in a long line of Jupiler League imports at a Burnley side under the stewardship of former Anderlecht coach Kompany.
“It’s a hard time to say goodbye. I’ve been here for six years,” Cimirot sighs.
“I want to thank all my teammates, coaches and all the people I have worked with. I’ve experienced great moments here
“I would have liked to stay longer. But not on the conditions (Genk are offering).”
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