Burnley will be looking to return to their Premier League glory days under Scott Parker, as the Clarets were once a top-flight regular under Sean Dyche.
Indeed, the former Turf Moor favourite led Burnley to an outstanding seventh-place finish at the end of the 2016/17 season, before his up-and-down reign at the club resulted in relegation to the Championship.
When he was in charge of Burnley, Vincent Kompany failed to restore the club’s status as a Premier League fixture, so Parker will be hoping to buck the pattern, especially if a number of fresh, influential acquisitions come in to support him.
Burnley’s list of summer targets
Unfortunately, the most of the transfer rumours coming out of Turf Moor are about outgoings rather than incomings, with CJ Egan-Riley allegedly closing in on a move to RC Strasbourg.
However, there have been a few names in the air to excite Burnley fans in terms of incomings, with Zian Flemming now a permanent member of Parker’s squad following a successful loan spell, and the newly promoted side showing a keen interest in the Swedish leagues in 20-year-old forward Abdoulie Manneh.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Burnley is one of four Premier League clubs interested in £10 million Union Berlin right-back Josip Juranovic, along with Fulham and West Ham United.
How Juranovic can become Burnley’s best right-back since Trippier
Trippier began his top-flight career with the Clarets, which may be forgotten now that his name is synonymous with the premier league.
Indeed, the Magpies veteran has played 203 Premier League games and provided 38 assists throughout that time.
However, despite his constant heroics at St James’ Park, which have resulted in many England call-ups and a single EFL Cup, his highest overall career assist total remains with Burnley, with 37 in 185 games.
Juranovic will be hoping to come in and be as explosive down the right channel for Parker’s side as Trippier was at his best.
| Juranovic’s G/A numbers by club | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club played for | Games | Goals | Assists |
| Hajduk Split | 165 | 3 | 13 |
| Union Berlin | 62 | 4 | 6 |
| Celtic | 53 | 6 | 3 |
| Legia Warszawa | 41 | 2 | 10 |
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | |||
Looking at the table above, it’s clear Juranovic has thrived in some tough domestic divisions in the past, with a high ten-goal contribution from 62 games at his current employers in Berlin, as well as starring in Scotland, Poland, and his native Croatia.
As a result, he should be able to come in and excel in the Premier League, with his exploits for Croatia on the international arena earning European football analyst Zach Lowy’s praise as “immense.”
He can also line up as a winger, centre-back or midfielder if necessary, making him an ideal utility player for Parker to rely on, in addition to potentially being Turf Moor’s second coming of Trippier.
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