Burnley can deal Blackburn Rovers huge blow with controversial move for contract rebel | OneFootball

Burnley should look to take advantage of Blackburn’s contract situation to sign Todd Cantwell

Burnley’s summer transfer window has yet to kick off, with one piece of important business seemingly edging closer to completion, at which point, the Clarets will surely click into gear to make some important additions to the squad following relegation to the Championship.

Indeed, Burnley are in danger of becoming the new yo-yo club between the Championship and the Premier League, with three relegations and two promotions between the two divisions in the last five years.

On both occasions when they were promoted, they achieved it automatically on triple-digit points, and will be hoping for a similar outcome next time around.

Both Vincent Kompany and Scott Parker achieved these extraordinary feats at Turf Moor, as the club has now seemingly outlined current Wales men’s international boss Craig Bellamy to replicate these achievements and follow in their footsteps by making a formal approach for the 46-year-old.

Bellamy previously worked under Kompany at Burnley as an assistant manager for two years, and has been made their number one target to take the reins in Lancashire, as one of his first transfer decisions should be to capitalise on Blackburn Rovers' contract issue by poaching one of their stars.

Burnley should make a move for Blackburn Rovers’ Todd Cantwell following contract dispute

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As Burnley prepare for life in the Championship once again, a swift return to the Premier League will be the ambition and goal for the Clarets.

Numerous outgoings are expected over the summer, and with Bellamy yet to be confirmed as their new permanent boss, what their side will look like on the opening day of the campaign is anyone's guess.

Having conceded just 16 goals last time they were in the second tier, it would take an incredible achievement to even come close to replicating that feat again, as the incoming Bellamy will almost surely prioritise efforts in the final third.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City winger also previously played one season at Ewood Park before taking his coaching journey to Burnley, and should he indeed return to Turf Moor in the top position, the Welshman must look to sign Blackburn's Todd Cantwell this summer.

Cantwell, 28, scored five and assisted three in 28 league appearances last season for Rovers, struggling with injury problems across the course of the campaign.

However, when fit, even his harshest critics cannot deny his quality, as on his day, the Blackburn captain has the ability to turn a game on its head in an instant.

Having come through the youth system at Norwich City, Cantwell made 129 appearances for the Canaries across all competitions, and has since had spells with Bournemouth, Rangers, and most recently Blackburn, with whom he joined on a three-year deal from the Scottish giants for around £500k in the summer of 2024

Now entering the final year of that deal, Cantwell reportedly rejected the option to sign fresh terms with the Lancashire club back in February, sparking rumours of a potential departure this summer.

Tony Mowbray's side will be desperate to keep their star man beyond the transfer window, but with this summer potentially being their last chance to cash in on him, they may be forced to sell on the cheap, as Burnley should aim to take advantage of this.

Capable of playing anywhere just behind the centre-forward, Cantwell is best deployed as a number ten or just off the left, where he can cut in on his favoured right foot.

With Jaidon Anthony, Jaydon Banel, and Hannibal Mejbri as competition at Turf Moor, Cantwell would add fierce competition to the Clarets' ranks, and with an array of exits expected from Burnley this summer, the Blackburn captain would be an excellent addition.

Not only would he strengthen Burnley's ranks, but he would also weaken one of their biggest rivals in the process, and with him due to enter his physical prime, Cantwell's addition would tick a lot of boxes for Clarets, and should be one they look to pursue despite the obvious controversy that will arrive with it.

Burnley have the potential to create history with controversial switch for Blackburn Rovers' Todd Cantwell

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No player in the modern era has ever made the direct switch between Blackburn and Burnley, and though no indication that this record will be broken anytime soon has been made, there is no reason why Cantwell can't break it.

The forward has rarely been far away from controversy across the course of his career, and a move between the two ' El Lanclasico' clubs would be the icing on the cake of his polarising personality within the sport.