BURNLEY BID £13M FOR WOLVES TARGET AFTER 24-GOAL STAR WINS GOLDEN BOOT

Premier League newcomers Burnley have reportedly had a £13 million bid rejected for Georges Mikautadze with FC Metz holding out for £17 million. 

You may remember that, back in August 2022, Burnley boss Vincent Kompany confirmed his interest in the Lyon-born Georgia international. At the time, however, Georges Mikautadze was simply too expensive for a team operating on a Championship budget.

Now, with Premier League football returning to Turf Moor, Burnley are returning for their long-time target with far more financial firepower at their disposal.

An opening bid of £13 million was not enough for Metz to cash in, however. There remains a £4 million gap in the valuation of both clubs, though that ‘gap’ feels distinctly bridge-able.

“I understand Burnley have had a bid of 15 million euros rejected by FC Metz for Georges Mikautadze,” says Belgian reporter Sacha Tavolieri, who broke the news of Everton’s interest in El Bilal Toure last week.

“The board of directors of the French club are waiting for 20 million euros. (Metz) feel ‘really confident’ of getting this amount.”

Burnley make big bid for Georges Mikautadze

Tavolieri adds that Burnley face competition from clubs in Serie A – potentially AC Milan – and the German Bundesliga. Wolves have also been linked, though Financial Fair Play issues could prevent Julen Lopetegui’s side from stumping up the £17 million required.

Reports in Italy briefly mentioned Arsenal as a potential destination for Mikautadze too, though that particular trail has gone cold over the course of the last month or so.

Mikautadze scored 24 goals in all competitions last season; firing Metz to promotion back to Ligue 1. The penalty-box poacher won both the division’s Player of the Year award and the Golden Boot.

If he is to end up at Burnley, Mikautadze could fill a void created by Nathan Tella’s return to Southampton. Tella top-scored during a stunning loan spell under Kompany in 2022/23.