Newly promoted Premier League side Burnley are close to agreeing a permanent deal to sign free agent Andros Townsend.

Townsend, 32, has been training with the Clarets this summer having left Everton after his contract expired.

He missed the entirety of last season because of a knee injury and last played competitively in March 2022.

He played the full 90 minutes against Benfica last week and featured in friendlies against Real Betis and Genk.

Former England international Townsend would become manager Vincent Kompany’s 10th signing of a busy summer since returning to the top-flight by winning the Championship last season.

Bologna Aim to Hijack Burnley Bid for France U20 Prodigy

With an average age of 24.2, Bologna possess the joint second-youngest squad in Serie A and could soon gain premier position with the acquisition of a French prodigy. The Rossoblu have onboarded several young targets this window, most recently signing Oussama El Azzouzi from Union SG, and are eyeing a fifth summer signing.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Wilson Odobert of Troyes is on Bologna’s wishlist, having impressed the club scouts last season. Odobert, whose 4 goals in 32 appearances for the French minnows couldn’t save them from relegation to Ligue 2, is a product of Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy.

However, Bologna will have to fend away likely suitors Burnley in an attempt to sign the versatile 18-year-old, who has been praised for his ability to adopt different roles in the frontline. Vincent Kompany’s Burnley have already submitted a €11M offer for the France U20 international, which Troyes have reportedly accepted.

If Odobert affirms Burnley’s offer as well, he wouhttps://twitter.com/Santi_J_FM/status/1685612230392295424ld have the chance to star in the Premier League, all the while making himself Troyes’ record sale.