Robinson delivers inside track from Dyche on Aston Villa bid to sign McNeil
Burnley will dig their heels in and resist offers from Aston Villa for Dwight McNeil this summer.
That is the view of former Clarets and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the West Midlands club’s interest in the 21-year-old.
This site revealed on Friday that Villa are preparing to test Burnley’s resolve with a £15million bid for the winger in the next transfer window.
Dean Smith’s side are on the hunt for two new wide-men this summer in a bid to keep their talisman Jack Grealish at Villa Park.
McNeil, who is under contract at Turf Moor until June 2024, has contributed two goals and five assists in 36 appearances this season.
Robinson, who played for Burnley under Sean Dyche in the 2016-17 campaign and is a good friend of his, believes only a top six club could lure McNeil away from the club.
“McNeil has been top-class for Burnley,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs. “He has been one of their standout performers this season.
“I know Sean well and, he rates him very, very highly and Burnley will dig their heels in and try to keep hold of him.
“Burnley do not want to be hovering around the bottom like they were this year, they want to get higher up the league, and to do that they need to keep hold of their best players. Selling McNeil to a direct rival in Aston Villa would certainly not help that.
“If one of the top six came in for him it would be difficult for Burnley to keep him but I think they can fight off a bid from Villa. There is the American investment as well so that should help.”
In other news, a finance expert claims Aston Villa’s transfer budget is set to soar amid a near-£100m reveal.