Burnley’s January transfer window: Kompany seeking upgrades – but not at any cost

It looks like Burnley’s best chance of turning their season around may lie in the transfer market.

Vincent Kompany’s current squad are yet to show enough quality to suggest they can turn their stuttering season around, unless a number of them make significant strides in their development soon.

While serious questions have been asked about much of the summer’s recruitment, the business Burnley do in this window has to be as close to perfect as possible.

It is not a time to panic-buy, but Burnley are not going to sit on their hands and watch the window pass. The Athletic looks at what to expect from the club next month.

Last three January window spends

2021: £0

2022: £12.5m (Wout Weghorst: £12.5m)

2023: £14.7m: (Lyle Foster: £8m) Ameen Al-Dakhil (£4.3m) Hjalmar Ekdal (£2.4m), Michael Obafemi (loan)

Owners ALK Capital have shown they will spend in the winter window. They barely had their feet under the table in January 2021 so, while deals were explored, none were completed.

The loss of starting striker Chris Wood to Newcastle when they triggered his £25million release clause ripped up transfer plans and led to them signing a replacement in Wout Weghorst. He did not hit the heights expected and Burnley were relegated.

Last season, with promotion already looking secure as early as January, signings were made with the step up to the Premier League in mind. Burnley have no such luxury 12 months on: they need players who can help them stay up and it is likely they spend again.

How much money is likely to be available?

Following their outlay in the summer (approximately £90m), the lack of transfer fees coming in the other way and the size of their squad, Burnley are not expected to be big spenders.

However, they are planning to be active and work behind the scenes is already underway to see if upgrades are available. With relegation a real threat, Burnley will remain sensible and keep their outlay sustainable to protect themselves should the worst happen in May.

The loan market is likely to be explored to see if there is potential value without the longer-term financial risks.

Who makes the key decisions about signings?

Since their arrival in December 2020, ALK Capital were keen to overhaul the club’s recruitment department and shape it in their image.

Their data and analytics model has been key to the overhaul and the club operates with a committee that sees first-team coaching staff, scouts, recruitment analysts, academy staff and some of the senior hierarchy discuss strategy and targets.

Long lists are drawn up with suggestions from the data model, Kompany and players put forward by the recruitment team. All are cross-checked with the data department and then the list is whittled down, in-person scouting takes place, and conversations to find out price and availability are had.

Stage two comprises the “senior review”: an in-depth look at a player’s positioning, tactical understanding and further details including character assessments and psychological profiles. Then it is up to Kompany and his staff to decide whether to sanction a move.

Ultimately, though, Kompany is central to the whole operation. He frequently travels to Europe on scouting missions and it is the conversations potential players have with him that are crucial to convincing them to join Burnley. The Belgian’s detail and knowledge impress them and he is described internally as the club’s best selling point.

The owners, including chairman Alan Pace, have their own say on the financial side. They are shrewd negotiators and rarely budge from the valuation they set for targets. That can mean they will walk away from deals they don’t see value in. Co-chief operating officer Matt Williams plays a key role in those negotiations.

What are the priority positions?

If Burnley can upgrade anywhere then they will consider it, which was a similar policy to that adopted in the summer.

They are in a position where the squad currently is not good enough to survive. Kompany remains confident solutions can be found in the squad, but the development and adaptation process has taken longer than hoped for some of the summer signings.

After failing in their search to secure a left-back in the summer, Burnley are expected to attempt to address that position again. Charlie Taylor has stepped up and has been a solid performer, but that will not stop alternatives being explored.

Striker Lyle Foster’s surprising return has helped ease the burden on Jay Rodriguez, but Kompany’s side continue to lack reliable and consistent goalscoring options. Foster looked like he could be that earlier in the season, but an additional attacking option is being considered.

Central midfield is another area Burnley may strengthen. Josh Brownhill and Sander Berge have formed a solid partnership in recent weeks, but a dominant presence to provide stability would be ideal.

What do we know about who the targets might be?

Burnley explore multiple options for each position before settling on who they believe is attainable and represents the best value. That process is currently ongoing, so targets will begin to emerge in time.

They may check in on Ian Maatsen’s situation after a move for the Chelsea left-back did not come to fruition in the summer, while Marseille midfielder Pape Gueye, who was suspended from playing for four months in July 2023 after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled he was in breach of contract with Watford in 2020, is a possible target. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Sevilla, and has made three appearances for Marseille since returning to action.

Who could be on their way out?

Brownhill has once again been the subject of speculation heading into a transfer window. The central midfielder has six months remaining on his contract along with a one-year option that Burnley will trigger. Contract discussions took place earlier this year and a long-term offer was tabled, but talks have yet to reach a resolution.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have been keen admirers for some time, but Kompany insisted recently that no discussions about a potential departure have taken place.

There are not many obvious sales, but it is more likely that some of the fringe players may be sent out on loan. The likes of Darko Churlinov and CJ Egan-Riley have barely played but were denied moves in the summer due to illness and injury respectively. Schalke remains an option for Churlinov.

It remains to be seen if more prominent squad members lacking playing time down the pecking order, such as Arijanet Muric and Anass Zaroury, seek moves or believe they can force their way into Kompany’s plans over the second half of the season.

(Top photos: Pape Gueye, Ian Maatsen, Josh Brownhill; all Getty Images)