Everton FC and West Ham set for transfer battle involving £40k-a-week Burnley star | OneFootball

Josh Brownhill has Premier League interest following Burnley's promotion from the Championship

Despite Burnley's promotion back to the Premier League at the very first attempt, the future of midfield captain Josh Brownhill remains uncertain amid interest from both Everton and West Ham United.

According to a fresh report from Football Insider, the top-flight duo are both "entering a race" to sign the 29-year-old as an uncertain contractual situation lingers on at Turf Moor.

Brownhill enjoyed a memorable campaign at Burnley, captaining the Clarets to promotion and registering a hugely-impressive 18 strikes and six assists from central midfield, a goal haul only eclipsed throughout the Championship by Leeds United striker Joel Piroe.

The ex-Bristol City star was twice on target during Saturday afternoon's 3-1 victory over Millwall, which saw Burnley make it 100 points while falling short of the league title on goal difference as Leeds clinched a dramatic 2-1 win away at Plymouth Argyle.

Brownhill, however, may have potentially made his 211th and final appearance - in some style, it must be said - as yet more suitors join the race for his signature ahead of this summer.

Everton, West Ham join transfer race for Burnley FC's Josh Brownhill

As per the aforementioned report, both Everton and West Ham are keeping close tabs on Brownhill's situation at Burnley with a view to potentially landing the midfielder on a free transfer.

Celtic have also been linked with a move for Brownhill, who will have no shortage of suitors this summer if he decides to leave Burnley after five-and-a-half years of service.

The Clarets star will be out of contract next month and, reportedly, no decision has yet been made about his future with the club.

Burnley are said to remain keen to strike a fresh deal with Brownhill with talks expected in the coming weeks, but the situation is still up in the air with time running out for resolution.

It's unclear what Brownhill's stance is at this moment in time, but all connected with Burnley will surely be desperate to see him put pen to paper on a new deal.

The midfielder is estimated to be on a weekly contract of £40,000, and a pay rise may be required to retain him beyond the summer.

Burnley FC must retain Josh Brownhill at all costs

As Burnley prepare to undertake the necessary groundwork in order to bolster Scott Parker's squad and give themselves the best chance of bridging an ever-widening gap between English football's top two divisions, it's becoming increasingly clear that one of their chief calls of duty is going to be fighting tooth and nail to keep Brownhill exactly where he is.

Now aged 29, Brownhill has grown in stature year-on-year and has cemented himself as an influential leader and a star player. He already boasts vital top-flight experience, and his considerable goal threat from midfield could be a huge outlet for Burnley in 25/26.

The popular midfielder is a huge reason why Burnley are now preparing for life back in the promised land, and losing him on a free transfer - especially to a new top-flight rival - would feel like a seismic blow.