Burnley star set to secure Saudi Arabia move | OneFootball

Gudmundsson is set to secure an exit from Turf Moor, despite extending his contract with the Clarets this summer.

Burnley midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson is set to seal a move to Saudi Arabia.

This is according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, who believes the Icelandic attacking midfielder underwent a medical yesterday ahead of his move.

The Clarets' man only put pen to paper on a new contract this summer.

It initially looked as though he was going to leave the Lancashire side, but he made a stunning return to the club and looked set to play an important part for Scott Parker's men during the 2024/25 campaign.

He wasn't in the matchday squad against Luton Town for their opening game of the season, but he was involved last weekend against Cardiff City.

Scoring in a 5-0 win against the Bluebirds, that could have been a promising sign of things to come, and he could have played regularly in a central advanced midfield role following the departures of Wilson Odobert and Scott Twine.

However, Gudmundsson has mainly played out wide during his career and the Clarets may have enough options in this area right now, with Manuel Benson, Luca Koleosho, Nathan Redmond, Mike Tresor, Vitinho and Anass Zaroury all able to operate on the wing when they are fit and available.

And it looks as though the Lancashire outfit have sanctioned an exit for the player, who is one of a number of players who have and look set to leave Turf Moor in recent times.

Wilson Odobert has recently left and both Gudmundsson and Sander Berge look set to follow him out of the exit door, with the latter closing in on a move to Fulham.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson closing in on Burnley exit

Gudmundsson is close to signing for a club in Saudi Arabia, but it's unclear which club he is set to sign for.

Plenty of Saudi sides have invested in talented players in recent years, with a number of players making the move from England.

Yesterday, the player reportedly underwent a medical ahead of his exit from Turf Moor, which is expected to be finalised shortly.

According to Tavolieri, who broke this news, the ideal is "imminent" now and that could mean that an official announcement isn't too far away.

He looks set to be a big miss for the Clarets, who benefitted from him during their promotion-winning 2022/23 campaign and could have utilised him well again this season, as they look to secure promotion once again.

Overall, he has been an excellent servant and will be a big miss.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson's imminent Burnley departure can be looked at in many ways

Gudmundsson is clearly a top-quality player and he will be missed at Turf Moor.

However, some would argue that his departure will give Parker the opportunity to focus on younger players, with the Icelandic midfielder now 33.

But it would have been good to have him as an experienced head in the dressing room, especially with the 33-year-old winning promotion from this level with the Clarets before.

He knows what it takes to win promotion - and it's a shame that he will no longer be at the club.

However, he isn't irreplaceable and it will be interesting to see whether anyone is signed between now and the end of the window to add more attacking quality to their squad.