Burnley FC will surely only seal £850k transfer on one condition | OneFootball

Burnley's links to Daniel Udoh will surely only be chased if they're in the Championship.

Burnley FC's automatic promotion hopes rest in the balance with Sheffield United and Leeds United holding an advantage over their counterparts going into the final stretch of the season.

For many, it seems the Whites have all but secured a top-two spot, with back-to-back victories over Sunderland and the Blades, coupled with a more favourable run-in, working in their favour.

That leaves just the Clarets and Chris Wilder's side, setting up an exciting conclusion to the season as Scott Parker's team look to close the narrow gap to their rivals.

Of course, league status often affects the level of player you attract, and a surprise report emerged last week regarding potential interest in striker Daniel Udoh.

The Nigerian attacker is currently engrossed in a League One promotion race with Wycombe Wanderers, but for much of the campaign has had to sit on the bench with Richard Kone preferred.

This Clarets interest has certainly surprised many, but surely they would only entertain his addition if they were to fall short of a spot in the Premier League next season.

Daniel Udoh signing should only be considered on one condition

Benji Walker (@benjiwalkerphoto)

As alluded to previously, Africa Foot are reporting that Burnley are keen on Udoh and according to their sources, the Clarets have offered an initial £850,000 for his services.

Wycombe are not believed to be taking this lightly and are set to stall any talks until the end of the season, when they hope to have secured Championship promotion.

Udoh could certainly play a role in this, but it’s hard to see how he is commanding a fee of close to £1 million at this stage. This year, he has started 19 of the Chairboys' 33 games and has found the back of the net just six times in the league.

While he offers much more than just his goalscoring, with his driving runs and hold-up play superb for a player of his stature, the top end of the second tier may prove a step too far. This would only be furthered should they secure promotion to the Premier League, with Burnley likely to need someone with experience at a higher level.

This just isn't Udoh. He has spent the majority of his career in the lower tiers of the EFL and non-league pyramid, joining the Chairboys last summer after a five-season spell at Shrewsbury Town. His time at the Croud Meadow wasn’t marked by a host of goals, but if you asked Salop fans about him, they'd readily admit he was a superb striker who gave everything for the cause.

Nonetheless, League One appears to be his level, and to make this deal even more unlikely, Udoh is 28, which would go against the Clarets' strategy of targeting younger players who could provide future sell-on value.

Scott Parker will need a new striker at Burnley

Burnley have rightfully caught the eye for their stern defence, but they will need additions up front next season, regardless of what tier they lie in.

A move to the Premier League would demand even more urgency in this regard, and they cannot enter a top-flight campaign with only Zian Flemming and Lyle Foster as their striking options.

Parker and his recruitment team will know this, but this priority doesn't justify a move for Udoh. The striker's ascension through the tiers is impressive, but that doesn't mean he is the man to produce the goals.

What they need is someone with experience in either the second tier or the top flight, and that won’t come for a minimal fee of £850,000. Alan Pace will have to dig deeper into his pockets, as Burnley cannot afford to face a similar issue with their attacking options next season.