Burnley are keen to keep Taylor Harwood-Bellis at the club after he impressed on loan last season.
According to TeamTalk, Burnley are making an effort to bring Taylor Harwood-Bellis back to the club after he spent last season on loan at Turf Moor. The Clarets would love to sign the centre-back permanently, but would also gladly take another loan deal. However, it isn’t clear what Manchester City have planned for the 21-year-old. There is also interest from elsewhere in the Premier League, with Everton, Brighton and Fulham amongst those keeping tabs on the player.
The 6’2” defender was a key figure and fan favourite for Burnley last season as the club secured their return to the top flight. Vincent Kompany would clearly love to be able to call on Harwood-Bellis again this time around. The Belgian coach’s connections at Manchester City may help Burnley get a deal done.
However, if they can’t get Harwood-Bellis back then Burnley will need to consider alternative solutions.
A move for Rob Holding
Arsenal’s Rob Holding would be a fantastic addition for Burnley if they miss out on Harwood-Bellis. The 27-year-old struggled for game time last season, and may be moved on this summer after seven years at the Emirates Stadium.
Whilst Holding has lost his starting berth for a club now back in the Champions League, he remains a reliable and experienced Premier League defender. Burnley will be on the back foot more this season than they were in the Championship, and Holding’s solidity when defending deep and his dominance in the air could make him a key figure for Kompany.
The Englishman is also very decent on the ball and has leadership qualities that newly-promoted sides can’t get enough of.
Holding has had some great times at Arsenal, including producing an iconic performance in the 2017 FA Cup final. Alongside Per Mertesacker, Holding was magnificent that day and kept Chelsea’s Diego Costa quiet as the Gunners went on to lift the famous trophy. However, now seems like the perfect time for him to leave and Burnley ought to take advantage of that amidst an already busy summer where they are looking to improve their defence elsewhere too.