Burnely must target Man Utd transfer if they cannot land ex-Sunderland player | OneFootball

Burnley should have Man United defender Harry Amass on their shortlist this summer in case a deal for Dennis Cirkin falls through

Burnley supporters are still awaiting their first arrival of the summer following relegation from the Premier League, as Nicky Hayen prepares to stamp his authority on the Clarets squad following his arrival in the Turf Moor dugout.

Indeed, Burnley's summer has started slowly, but things are expected to pick up at Turf Moor in the coming weeks.

No new faces have arrived in the building in terms of the playing squad, as Nicky Hayen's appointment from Belgian side Genk remains the only significant incoming at the club thus far.

Meanwhile, each of Martin Dubravka, Quilindschy Hartman, Jaidon Anthony, Lesley Ugochukwu, Loum Tchaouna, and Maxime Esteve has left the club, with each of those having been regulars in the Premier League last season.

Hayen has a big job on his hands in replacing those outgoings, and having recently identified former Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath as a target, things are beginning to pick up speed.

However, additions in attack are not the only priority for Burnley this summer, as reinforcements in the left-back role have been touted, but with competition high, Hayen should have a Manchester United wonderkid on standby as an alternative.

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With exits aplenty at Burnley thus far, Clarets fans will be more than eager to see some fresh faces sooner rather than later.

With Hartman having been loaned out to Espanyol for the season, a vacancy in the left-back position has been made available, and with no obvious alternative in their current ranks, Hayen will be on the lookout for another option in that position, which he seemingly has done.

According to Alan Nixon’s Patreon, Burnley are interested in former Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin this summer, with the Irish-born Latvian having left Wearside this summer following the expiry of his contract.

Cirkin played a crucial role in Sunderland’s rise from League One to the Premier League, but saw his game time in the top-flight slashed by Regis Le Bris following the arrival of Reinildo.

Burnley are not alone in the chase for Cirkin, with newly-promoted German Bundesliga side Schalke also reportedly interested in the free agent this summer.

Given the influx of money they have received from the sales of Esteve, Anthony, and Tchaouna, as well as parachute payments, wages likely won’t be an issue for Burnley, but just in case they miss out on the former Tottenham Hotspur youth player, they should eye up a move for Manchester United youngster Harry Amass.

Amass, 19, heavily impressed during the first half of the campaign on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, scoring once and assisting once in 21 appearances for the Owls, before being recalled by the Red Devils and loaned out to Norwich City.

However, he would make just one appearance for the Canaries before an injury ended his season early, when he headed back to the North-West for treatment and to recover.

Now, Amass has featured for Michael Carrick’s Man United side during pre-season, but looks almost certain to head out on loan once again this summer, as Burnley should be keeping tabs.

Despite Wednesday’s difficult circumstances and his tender age, Amass stood out during his brief spell at Hillsborough, winning numerous accolades.

His 34 successful dribbles and 37 touches in the opposition box, as per FotMob, indicate his confidence in pushing up the pitch and taking up more advanced roles in the final third, having operated as more of a wing-back under Henrik Pedersen in South Yorkshire.

Though his 153 defensive contributions and 65 tackles display his ability to stick to his primary duties as a defender, and despite coming up against players with years of experience over him, he has proven he is not afraid of getting stuck in and shown maturity beyond his years.

Capable of operating as a left-back in a back four or a wing-back in a back five, Amass also offers a versatility that Hayen would absolutely value.

Should Cirkin not seem convinced about the prospect of making the move to Turf Moor, Burnley should instead focus their attentions on the United youngster, who has the potential to be a real difference-maker at Championship level despite his age.

Nicky Hayen needs a new left-back for Burnley ASAP ahead of Championship season

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With a move for Cirkin seemingly not having progressed as yet, Hayen must have an alternative prepared just in case a move for the former Sunderland star doesn’t materialise.

Amass will almost certainly have a cohort of second-tier clubs lining up for his services this summer, but Burnley should ensure that they are towards the front of the queue just in case.

Displaying excellent progressive and defensive numbers in what was his first regular taste of first-team football, and in a difficult environment, the England youth international thrived, and Hayen would be remiss to not consider Amass as an alternative for Cirkin at Burnley this summer.