Transfer Centre

Burnley 'closing in on Luca Koleosho deal'

By Carter White | 21 July 2023

Burnley are reportedly close to the signing of Espanyol winger Luca Koleosho, with the 18-year-old set to join the Premier League newcomers for a fee of £2.6m.

Burnley have reportedly emerged as favourites to sign Espanyol's Luca Koleosho, with the Clarets understood to be close to confirming the signing of the winger.

The 18-year-old made four substitute appearances for the Catalonians during the 2022-23 term, however he could not prevent the club from finishing 19th in La Liga, meaning that Luis Garcia's men were relegated.

A maiden goal in senior football arrived for Koleosho on June 4 during a 26-minute cameo against Almeria at RCDE Stadium, with both sides sharing the spoils following a six-goal thriller that day.

The attacker recently won the Under-19s European Championships with Italy, although he has also represented the United States of America at youth level, alongside spending time with the Canadian first-team setup in September 2022.

According to The Athletic, Koleosho is set to take his career to the Premier League, with top-flight newcomers Burnley close to completing the signing of the youngster.

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany celebrates after the match on April 10, 2023 © Reuters

It is understood that the Clarets will pay €3m (£2.6m) for the Espanyol starlet, as Vincent Kompany looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2023-24 term.

The report adds that Koleosho is pencilled in for a medical in Lancashire on Monday, meaning that official confirmation of the transfer is expected at some point next week.

If all is well with the winger's physical tests, he could be involved in Kompany's squad on August 11 when Burnley commence their Premier League campaign by welcoming Manchester City to Turf Moor.

Regular football in the English football would be a huge step up for Koleosho compared to fleeting appearances for a struggling Espanyol outfit, however the attacker is accustomed to big changes, having moved to Spain at the age of 10 from America to pursue his football career.

Kompany's men are continuing to be active in the transfer window following the arrivals of James Trafford and Nathan Redmond this week, with the Clarets looking to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

James Trafford pictured on March 25, 2023 © Reuters

Former Manchester City youngster Trafford has joined Burnley following an eye-catching Under-21s European Championship campaign with England, with the goalkeeper managing to keep a clean sheet in all six matches as the Young Lions won the tournament in Romania and Georgia.

Redmond returns to English football following a season in the Turkish Super Lig at Besiktas, and the Clarets hierarchy will be hoping that the 29-year-old can provide some much-needed Premier League experience to a talented crop in Lancashire.

Michael Obafemi and Jordan Beyer have made their loan spells permanent this summer, joining from Swansea City and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively, although the former will miss the start of the campaign due to a hamstring injury.

Burnley continue their pre-season preparations on Saturday evening with a friendly assignment against Belgian outfit Genk, before meetings with Benfica and Real Betis round off a tricky-looking trio of fixtures.