---
title: "Burnley: Celtic enter transfer race for Clarets target Shane Duffy"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/burnley-shane-duffy-transfer-latest-celtic-enquire/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-08-13T18:10:44Z"
modified: "2020-08-13T18:10:44Z"
---

# Burnley: Celtic enter transfer race for Clarets target Shane Duffy

**Burnley face fresh competition in their reported transfer interest in Brighton defender [Shane Duffy](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-transfer-rumours/brighton-shane-duffy-west-brom-transfer-talks/).**

The [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8621679/Celtic-join-West-Ham-West-Brom-Burnley-battle-sign-Brighton-defender-Shane-Duffy.html) reported that Celtic have joined the race for the 28-year-old, who is also wanted by West Ham and West Brom, with the Scottish champions seemingly stealing a march by beginning discussions with Hoops manager Neil Lennon over a season-long loan deal.

However, the Clarets may be encouraged by the Glasgow club reportedly still being a long way from striking an agreement with Brighton over a loan fee and wages for the Republic of Ireland international, as per [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8621679/Celtic-join-West-Ham-West-Brom-Burnley-battle-sign-Brighton-defender-Shane-Duffy.html).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Duffy, who has [played alongside Burnley’s Kevin Long](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/gemeinsameSpiele/spieler/119269/plus/0/galerie/0?gegner=0&kriterium=2&wettbewerb=&liga=&verein=3509&pos=3&status=0) at centre-back for the Irish national team, has clocked up [96 Premier League appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/119269/wettbewerb/GB1), the vast majority of which have come with Brighton over the last three years. However, having been a [regular in the side under Chris Hughton](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdatentrainer/spieler/119269/plus/0/verein/1237/trainer_id/2654), the 28-year-old found game-time much more limited under Graham Potter, [starting just 12 league games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdaten/spieler/119269) last season.

Also, with Ben White back at the Amex Stadium following his loan spell at Leeds (and the Seagulls [issuing a firm hands-off warning](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53757938) to prospective suitors), along with the [summer signing of Joel Veltman](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1745401/albion-make-dutch-international-their-second-summer-signing), the Irishman risks slipping further down the pecking order in Sussex.

In contrast to Brighton’s abundance of centre-backs, it is a position in which Burnley are not hugely stocked. James Tarkowski and captain Ben Mee are [firm favourites of Sean Dyche](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-burnley/leistungsdaten/verein/1132), while Long [acquitted himself well](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/burnley-fc-news/burnley-kevin-longs-performances-spare-clarets-the-need-to-sign-a-centre-back-says-alex-james/) when standing in for the injured skipper towards the end of the season.

After that, Ben Gibson has been [linked with Middlesbrough and Norwich](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1292382779720839173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1292382779720839173%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.footballtransfertavern.com%2Fburnley-fc-transfer-rumours%2Fburnley-ben-gibson-transfer-interest-middlesbrough-norwich%2F) recently, and he has been [continuously overlooked by Dyche](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-gibson/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/128904/verein/1132) in any case, while [Jimmy Dunne](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/burnley-fc-transfer-rumours/jimmy-dunne-profile/) and Bobby Thomas are [both still awaiting their senior Clarets debuts](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-burnley/leistungsdaten/verein/1132).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Duffy might not win as many [headers or tackles](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/75692/Show/Shane-Duffy) as the likes of [Mee or Tarkowski](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/184/Show/England-Burnley), but his passing success rate of [80.7%](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/75692/Show/Shane-Duffy) is far above the Burnley centre-back duo with [71.4% and 70.8% respectively](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/184/Show/England-Burnley). Therefore, the Irishman could offer Dyche a more ball-playing mindset at the back to complement his current defenders’ aerial strengths.

\[freshpress-poll id=”313958″\]

The Brighton man is no slouch in the air, either, popping up with [six goals over the last two seasons](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/shane-duffy/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/119269), while he knows the Premier League well and may be open to a move with the Seagulls having a newly-reinforced central defensive pick.

He ticks several boxes for Burnley but the Clarets may need to move quickly if they want him, particularly with [Champions League participants](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/fixtures-results/2021/#/dw/1247) Celtic seemingly in pole position.

***Burnley fans, would Duffy provide stiff competition for Mee and Tarkowski at Turf Moor? Share your views in the comments section below!***