Why Burnley should go all out to re-sign Jay Rodriguez in January
According to Sky Sports, Burnley are interested in a deal to sign Jay Rodriguez from West Brom in the January transfer window.
The one-time England international was on Sean Dyche’s radar in the summer and Burnley made a number of bids for the 29-year-old, with the largest one coming in the region of £16m, the report adds. But Burnley were unable to meet West Brom’s asking price, which was said to be in the region of £18m.
Despite a move not materialising then, the Clarets are still believed to be admirers of Jay Rodriguez, who has impressed in the first half of the Championship season.
The forward has made a bright start to the campaign with eight goals coming in 16 Championship appearances for Darren Moore’s Baggies.
Burnley have struggled to make an impact this term after a stellar last campaign that ended with them qualifying for European football. The Clarets find themselves languishing at 15th place in the Premier League standings, just a point above the relegation zone.
Sean Dyche’s side have leaked goals at an alarming rate this season, which is surprisingly uncharacteristic given the way Dyche sets up his team defensively.
While the defence has been all over the place, Burnley have found it tough to score goals too at a consistent rate.
The Clarets spent big in the summer transfer window, signing Matej Vydra from Derby County, who was the top-scorer in the Championship last season. However, Vydra has struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League, scoring just a goal in six league games.
Chris Wood arrived at Turf Moor amidst a lot of fanfare last season but has scored just once in 12 league games this season, while Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes have scored two apiece.
Such returns from the club’s main strikers are clearly not good enough for Burnley. Hence, bringing a new striker is the need of the hour for Burnley and Jay Rodriguez fits the bill perfectly.
A youth product of Burnley, Rodriguez has failed to live up to his potential due to various injury problems. But since making the move to West Brom from Southampton last summer, the 29-year-old has kept himself fit and away from injuries.
He has been in good form in the Championship this season and his partnership with Dwight Gayle has been the main reason why West Brom are in contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.
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At 29, Rodriguez is playing at the peak of his powers and could be the ideal player to take Burnley out of the rut.
But West Brom might command a high fee in January for Rodriguez since he has been their main source of goals in the Championship.