BURNLEY INVEST IN YOUTH WITH REPORTED DEAL FOR DORTMUND DEFENDER

Burnley have agreed a deal to sign Soumaila Coulibaly.

According to French publication L’Equipe, Burnley have struck a deal to bring Soumaila Coulibaly to the club from Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old comes to the Premier League having been on the fringes of the Dortmund squad that fell so agonisingly short of winning the Bundesliga title last season.

Should the deal go through, then he will follow Jordan Beyer, Dara O’Shea and Lawrence Vigouroux into the club this summer. Michael Obafemi’s loan switch from Swansea City has also been made permanent. Vincent Kompany has also struck a deal worth up to £19 million to bring goalkeeper James Trafford to Turf Moor. The 20-year-old has already had a summer to remember as his penalty saving heroics helped England to lift the under-21s European Championship.

Kompany has already shown in his time as Burnley boss that he has a good eye for talent, and Coulibaly’s arrival could be another smart bit of business.

Who is Soumaila Coulibaly?

The 6’3” centre-back is a product of the PSG academy, but signed his first professional terms with Borussia Dortmund. He quickly established himself as a regular presence in their academy side. He has also represented France at under-16 and under-17 level.

Coulibaly may come on loan initially, with an obligation to buy for a fee of around £13 million. This would represent a steep outlay, but Burnley have already shown a willingness to invest heavily in youthful talent and it is a policy that has served them well under Kompany so far. However, it has the potential to be the club’s undoing now they’re back in the Premier League and set to be facing fierce opposition every week.