5 Burnley FC players surely heading for Turf Moor’s exit door before EFL Championship return | OneFootball

The Clarets' third relegation in five seasons was confirmed in midweek

It has been an extremely underwhelming season for Burnley, and the Clarets' stay in the Premier League ultimately proved to be another short-lived one as their relegation was confirmed in midweek.

Having won just four of their 34 matches thus far, and gone winless at Turf Moor since October, it was a matter of time before the East Lancashire side's fall back into the Championship was rubber-stamped alongside that of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Indeed, their 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night meant they can no longer catch West Ham United in 17th, leaving Scott Parker and his players to prepare for a third season of second tier football since 2022.

Their two previous spells at the level have yielded great success, as they won the division with 101 points back in 2022/23 under Vincent Kompany, before bouncing back from relegation straight away last year as they, again, broke the 100-point mark but finished second to Leeds United on goal difference.

However, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Clarets and many of their squad, and Football League World have looked at five players who could be expected to move on ahead of 2026/27.

Martin Dubravka

The first of five potential high-profile departures comes in the form of experienced Slovakian goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka.

After the sale of James Trafford to Manchester City, the Clarets moved for the 37-year-old on a one-year contract from Newcastle United, where he had previously been a safe pair of hands. However, the same fortunes have bypassed the Lancashire side this term.

Given his experience, Dubravka has been an ever-present for Parker this season, but at this stage of his career and taking into account the fact his contract at Turf Moor is up on June 30th to the tune of an ESTIMATED £40,000 per week wage, a parting of ways seems the most likely outcome.

Maxime Esteve

It would also be no surprise to see Burnley lose the services of French centre-back, Maxime Esteve, who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in the past.

Indeed, the 23-year-old was an integral part of Parker's side which conceded just 16 times in the Championship last season, before penning a contract until the summer of 2030 in pre-season to quash any remaining interest.

However, with Burnley now relegated back to the Championship and in need of balancing the books, Esteve will remain one of their most prized assets, and given his contract situation, a hefty transfer fee would likely be commanded in the process.

And, given how he fared in the second tier last time out, the centre-back could also see his long-term future elsewhere.

Hannibal

Another man with a recently strong Championship pedigree is combative Tunisian midfielder, Hannibal.

The ex-Manchester United man has endured a mixed spell with his current employers, having signed a four-year contract following his move from the Red Devils in August 2024, immediately providing steel to Parker's side alongside Josh Brownhill's goalscoring prowess.

As a result of his high-end second tier quality, it would be no surprise to see the club wish to retain his services, but with two years left on his contract and money so often talking these days, a top-flight side in England or Europe could potentially come in with an offer that is too god for Burnley to reject.

Mike Tresor

However, one man who it feels like will be a certainty to leave Turf Moor is Belgian winger, Mike Tresor, who still remains an enigma to supporters.

The 26-year-old was loaned in from KRC Genk three years ago after the club's Premier League return, and despite making just 16 appearances, his temporary stint was made permanent for £16m after the triggering of an appearance-related clause in the deal.

Since then, though, he has made just 10 appearances in all competitions, recently being reintegrated back into the squad after an ankle issue which denied LOSC Lille the chance of securing a loan agreement earlier this year.

Tresor is currently contracted until the summer of 2028 at present, meaning a summer sale could give the club the best chance of recouping anywhere near the aforementioned fee, which hasn't been justified whatsoever.

Zian Flemming

It would also be no shock if Zian Flemming was to leave the Clarets this summer, with the Dutchman one of very few players who will be somewhat satisfied with their individual performances in the Premier League.

In what has been the 27-year-old's first ever spell in the top-flight of English football, he is their top scorer with nine goals in just 25 appearances, although Parker would surely love to see him build on such a return in the Championship next season, as Burnley will be expected to mount an immediate bid for promotion.

However, with an overall record of 34 goals and 12 assists in 134 previous second tier appearances with the Clarets and Millwall, Flemming may feel he has now outgrown the division, and at his age, will hope to remain a top-flight performer.

It could be an ideal move for a club such as Coventry City to make, as the Sky Blues are swapping places with Burnley in the pyramid and may look to bolster their attacking depth under Frank Lampard.