Exclusive: Burnley FC backed to sign £18m West Brom star | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has given his take on whether Burnley will return for Grady Diangana in the summer.

Lee Hendrie has encouraged West Bromwich Albion's Grady Diangana to "try something different" and consider a move to Burnley FC this summer, with his contract at the Hawthorns set to expire.

Scott Parker's side expressed interest in January, and according to Fabrizio Romano, the Clarets offered him a contract, despite clubs from the same country being unable to make offers until the summer.

Nevertheless, the West Brom winger rejected the proposal, but a move could still be on the horizon with both Parma and Celta Vigo showing an interest as well.

Diangana first signed for the Baggies in a deal worth a reported £18 million back in 2020 after a successful loan stint. His time at the Hawthorns has been somewhat inconsistent, with injuries and patchy form preventing him from fulfilling his potential.

This season, he has scored just four goals and provided two assists, figures well short of his capabilities.

A move away from West Brom could provide him with the opportunity to rediscover his best form, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Parker's side return with an improved offer.

Lee Hendrie urges Diangana to seek a fresh start

Speaking exclusively to Football League World about Grady Diangana's future, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie admitted that a move away from Albion could be the best thing for the 26-year-old's career.

"I think he suits the Burnley style," Hendrie told FLW. "They play with out-and-out wingers, with exciting wide players who are given that licence to stay high up the pitch and cause teams problems, and that’s what Diangana definitely has in his locker.

"We haven’t seen an awful lot of that over the seasons, and do you put that down to the style of play that West Brom set up? Does it suit his style of play?

"I know he’s got stacks of ability, but it might be that he has to turn his head the other way and try something different to get Grady Diangana back to what he can do. It might just work at Burnley, so it wouldn’t surprise me if that does happen."

Grady Diangana needs a fresh start

Diangana is clearly a player with significant potential, but remaining at West Brom could see that slowly fade away.

His tally of 26 goals and 21 assists in almost 200 appearances is far from poor, but you would expect more from a player who cost them £18 million.

The Championship is perhaps his level, so if Burnley do gain promotion, it would be no surprise to see them avoid his signature, given his Premier League record of just one goal and one assist in 37 appearances.

Nevertheless, he could seek a fresh start either in Europe or elsewhere in England, despite the Baggies reportedly set to begin discussions over a new deal. Speaking to Birmingham World, Tony Mowbray admitted that he would like him to remain at the club, but with no news emerging, it seems likely that Diangana is looking elsewhere.

Time will tell, but with his contract expiring in June, the Baggies will need to make a definitive decision.