Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Burnley - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - April 30, 2022 Burnley's Josh Brownhill celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Southampton could make a move for Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill before the transfer window closes on Thursday, according to Football League World.
The lowdown
Southampton have signed six players so far in the summer transfer window, spending a total of £50.76million.
They have already bolstered their midfield ranks with moves for Joe Aribo and Romeo Lavia, but it seems Brownhill is also on their radar.
The former Manchester United academy product, called ‘fabulous‘ by Lee Hendrie, moved from Bristol City to Burnley in a £9million deal in January 2020 and suffered relegation with the Clarets last term.
The 26-year-old is now into the final two years of his contract with Vincent Kompany’s side.
The latest
FLW report that Brownhill could yet depart Turf Moor prior to the deadline at 23.00 on Thursday.
‘A whole host’ of Premier League clubs are interested, with Southampton among those ‘casting their eyes over’ the Englishman.
Leicester City are also named as a suitor, and it seems there’s a potential for multiple bids in the next three days.
The verdict
Brownhill would be a smart addition for the Saints.
He’s a midfielder who reads the game exceptionally well, if his average of 2.35 interceptions per 90 is anything to go by. That ranks him in the 87th percentile among positional peers in the big five leagues (via FBRef).
And he’s a goalscoring threat too, having hit a brace against Wigan Athletic on Sunday to take his tally for the season to four goals in six Championship matches.
The Athletic’s Andy Jones called one of his strikes at the DW Stadium ‘beautiful’, while Josh Bunting was effusive in his praise for Brownhill’s efforts this season.
“Josh Brownhill has really adapted well under Vincent Kompany, looks a completely different player in that higher role and it works well with Josh Cullen in behind,” he said.
“So intelligent with his movement, Brownhill, very direct and he’s playing with an extreme amount of confidence.”
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