Burnley told to consider Kyle Walker exit as Sheffield United lurk - ’We can get better’ | OneFootball

The Blades have been linked with a potential reunion involving the ex-England defender

Burnley's relegation from the Premier League back to the Championship has already seen one major change come to light at Turf Moor, and more are likely to be in the offing throughout pre-season.

Indeed, the Clarets, after previously being an established top-flight side between 2016 and 2022, have bounced between English football's top two tiers in recent seasons, and their latest fall back into the EFL saw Scott Parker depart Turf Moor before the conclusion of the current campaign.

Burnley's relegation was confirmed by a 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City on April 22nd, and they have since suffered a 23rd defeat of the league season by losing 3-1 to Leeds United at Elland Road last Friday under interim boss, Michael Jackson.

Parker's exit came after a week of intense speculation over his future, and we have since seen the likes of Steven Gerrard, Craig Bellamy and Brian Barry-Murphy, among others, linked with the vacant managerial post as the Clarets prepare to mount another promotion challenge from the Championship.

Naturally, whenever a side is relegated from the Premier League, there is a fear that other clubs may pick off some of their most coveted or experienced players on cut-price transfers.

The most decorated and experienced figure at Turf Moor at present is, unarguably, former England international, Kyle Walker, and he has already seen his future become a hot topic of discussion.

However, the six-time Premier League winner could well remain in the EFL, amid talk that Sheffield United are considering a potential reunion with their academy graduate in the upcoming window.

With that in mind, Football League World quizzed our Burnley fan pundit, Josh Lucas, on how he would feel about an upcoming departure for the 35-year-old.

Mixed Burnley FC verdict given on potential Kyle Walker, Sheffield United transfer reunion

Walker, of course, was signed by the Clarets from Manchester City last summer on a two-year contract, and has been a virtual ever-present in East Lancashire during the first of those seasons.

When asked about what his future looked like post-relegation, the experienced defender stated that he would "honour" his contract, which, according to ESTIMATED figures, sees him collect a weekly salary of £75,000.

However, it has been reported that Walker, who has expressed a desire to return to Bramall Lane at some point in his career after leaving for Tottenham Hotspur 17 years ago, could be targeted by Chris Wilder as part of a squad rebuild.

Speaking about said developments, Lucas told FLW: "In terms of this season, he had a really good start - like a lot of players - but I feel like it's shown why City sold him.

"In terms of his age, he's clearly lost a yard or two of his pace, which he's known for, and his positioning.

"I guess when you're playing with better players, you can expect them to be able to cover you," he added.

"I wouldn't mind him staying. He's an experienced head which can win you titles, but I guess he's never done a proper Championship season.

"If we kept him, it wouldn't be a bad thing as, at City, he was playing a 50-game season, and in the Championship you'd be doing that anyway. He'd be a good head to have around," Lucas claimed.

"But, if he did go to Sheffield United and ended his career by playing for his hometown club again, I wouldn't exactly be against it.

"I feel like we can get a better right-back in," he stated.

"We've got (Oliver) Sonne coming back this summer who's shown quality, (Connor) Roberts might be back fit as well.

Kyle Walker's Burnley future could hinge on next Turf Moor appointment

It isn't the greatest of surprises that such transfer speculation is proving divisive, especially during a time where developments in BB10 are extremely uncertain.

Walker's future, of course, could hinge on the next appointment made by Alan Pace, and given his wealth of experience at the top level, you would bank on the defender's presence being particularly welcomed in an environment where a winning culture would immediately need to be restored.

On the flipside, not many would begrudge Walker of the chance to play for his boyhood club once more, even though it could, in some ways, come back to bite Burnley if Sheffield United were to return as a force in the promotion mix-up, especially with the increased play-off format which begins next season.