"I would be all over it" - Burnley backed to beat Sheffield United to Celtic transfer | OneFootball

We spoke to our resident Burnley pundit to get his take on the Clarets attempts to strike a deal for Mikey Johnston.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Mikey Johnston seems in line for a move away from Celtic before the August 30 deadline, with both Burnley and Sheffield United battling for the winger's services.

This was all but confirmed by Brendan Rodgers, who revealed last week that Johnston wants to play more and if a club comes in with the right offer, then Celtic will sanction a move.

Football Insider first broke the news that one of the sides interested is Scott Parker's Burnley, who will be looking to make additions on the wing following the departure of Wilson Odobert.

However, they face stiff competition from promotion rivals Sheffield United, as Alan Nixon has confirmed their interest in the 25-year-old as well.

Johnston is in high demand from top Championship clubs after performing superbly in the division whilst on loan at West Bromwich Albion. During his six months in Birmingham, the winger played 20 games in all competitions, providing two assists and scoring seven goals.

It was the quality of his shots that really stood out though, with his trademark cut inside and finish becoming all too familiar for Championship defences.

A move to Burnley could make sense, especially with Anass Zaroury and Wilson Odobert already sold, whilst Manuel Benson and Luca Koleosho could follow that duo out of the door amid interest in the pair - Wolves are in talks to sign the latter.

Sheffield United meanwhile have already signed Jesurun Rak-Sakyi from Crystal Palace, but there could be more attacking additions to come at Bramall Lane before the deadline.

Burnley backed to land Mikey Johnston deal but Jeremy Sarmiento favoured

FLW's Burnley fan pundit Ben Livingstone believes that Johnston would be a fantastic acquisition by Scott Parker, although if only one winger is arriving at Turf Moor this summer, then Brighton man Jeremy Sarmiento would be preferred.

"Mikey Johnston did fantastically well at West Brom in the second half of last season, but he just hasn't lived up to the hype at Celtic at all," Ben told Football League World.

"You can see what their fans have to say about him and that can be quite off-putting.

"I think for a couple of million pounds I would be all over it. He adapted to the Championship like a duck to water. He scored plenty of goals and got a great return in what I perceive to be a weak West Brom team.

"He's very hard to compare to Sarmiento, I feel like we need two or three wingers. So, I wouldn't be opposed to signing both of them.

"I think I would rather Sarmiento over Johnston, but both would be fantastic additions."

A permanent move away from Celtic is needed for Mikey Johnston

After making his Celtic debut at 18, things haven't quite gone as planned for Johnston.

Over 93 appearances for Celtic to date, he has managed just 25 goal contributions - a relatively modest return for a player in a team that consistently dominates the league.

Now 25 years of ahe, he will be targeting a full-time role in a team and Turf Moor could be the perfect venue.

Just two years ago, we saw the impact Nathan Tella had on Burnley, and Johnston will be eyeing a similar return for himself on the opposite wing.