"Isn't what we need" - Burnley FC told to steer clear of 7-goal winger transfer deal | OneFootball

The Clarets have been linked with a move for Jacob Ondrejka from Belgian club Royal Antwerp.

Burnley FC have started 2025 in a relatively strong fashion, picking up a superb 1-0 win away to their bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers just three days after being held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City.

The Clarets head into the FA Cup third round weekend in second place in the Championship, just a point behind Leeds United, who drew 3-3 with Hull City on Saturday, despite leading 3-1.

It's been a difficult season for Scott Parker, despite his side's excellent league position, with supporters unhappy with the way the team has been playing in games.

Nevertheless, he is already turning to the transfer market to make changes to his squad, and strengthen it ahead of the run-in. Burnley will be looking to improve their attacking talent in the coming weeks, and they have identified Royal Antwerp's Jacob Ondrejka as someone who could help take them back to the Premier League.

Burnley FC urged to avoid Jacob Ondrejka signing as left-footed winger issue continues

Journalist Luca Bendoni reported over the weekend that the Clarets are showing an interest in Ondrejka, who has scored seven times in the Belgian Pro League so far this season.

The Sweden international joined Antwerp from Elfsborg in the summer of 2023, and has played over 50 times for the club since making the switch.

However, Championship high-flyers Burnley are now targeting him in an attempt to make them more of a threat on the front-foot, a part of their game that has been severely lacking throughout the first half of the campaign.

Football League World has asked their Burnley Fan Pundit, Will Lancaster, if he believes his team should push to secure a deal for the 22-year-old, despite the fact they already have multiple options in the same position.

"Jacob Ondrejka would be a decent signing on paper," Will told FLW.

"We only got Manuel Benson about two-and-a-half years ago now. He was from Antwerp and, obviously, if that's anything to go by, then we'll have landed ourselves another decent winger.

"But a right-footed left-winger just isn't what we need.

"We've already got Jeremy Sarmiento and Jaidon Anthony on loan, and there’s Luca Koleosho as well.

"I know he plays on the right, but he’s similar, and I don't really know what his best position is because of the lack of output that he's had this season.

"So, I think a left footer would definitely be a bit of tonic. Obviously, we've got Benson and Aaron Ramsey, who are also left-footed and can play out wide, who were brilliant additions at this level."

"A winger is obviously one, but as long as it's the right profile and then there's obviously the case for another central midfielder to come in.

"Conor Roberts looks like he's off, so maybe a succession plan in that sense would be good as well. So, I don't think it's really worth the investment, although on paper it would be a great signing."

Parker must be careful with how much competition he has for positions

While it is important to have a good level of competitiveness for positions in a team, Parker seems insistent on adding more and more wingers to his side.

Burnley often have a low block deployed against them, and they will want to have players who can help break down their opponents in different ways, but he perhaps already has enough right-footed left-wingers at the club already.

Ondrejka has the potential to be a very talented player, but there is a lack of knowledge of how he will perform in the Championship, and if it takes him time to get up to speed, then the Clarets may be back to square one already.

It seems as though Parker is already planning for Burnley's return to the Premier League, and the likes of Anthony could return to their parent clubs, but taking chances on players who are unproven in England could be a huge risk to take at this time of the season, especially when there are similar stars already at Turf Moor.