Sources: Burnley working on deal to sign Southampton star Tella permanently
Burnley are exploring the possibility of signing loan star Nathan Tella on a permanent basis, sources have told Football Insider.
Manager Vincent Kompany wants to keep the 23-year-old at Turf Moor and is drawing up plans for a summer bid.
Sources have told Football Insider that a deal for Tella would be part of “massive changes” to the Burnley squad as they prepare for a return to the Premier League.
It is believed that Kompany will have a significant war chest to spend in the summer window in the event of promotion – with Tella a top priority.
Burnley’s case in the race for the Southampton winger would be helped if the Saints were relegated from the Premier League.
The Clarets are 17 points clear of the playoffs in the race for promotion – while Southampton are a point inside the drop zone in the top flight.
Tella has scored 14 goals and registered three assists across 37 appearances for Burnley this season.
He joined the Lancashire club on a season-long loan last summer and there is no option to buy as part of the deal.
Kompany moved to reunite the winger with former teammate Michael Obafemi in January – who has gone on to score two goals in five games.
The former Arsenal youngster has made 41 appearances for Southampton, mostly as a substitute – scoring just two goals.
His contract at St Mary’s Stadium runs until June 2025.
Burnley face relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic on Saturday (11 March).
They will also face Kompany’s former side Man City in the FA Cup quarter-final on 18 March.
In other news, Football Insider updates as Tottenham plot move to sign “phenomenal” Southampton star.