According to latest reports, Southampton have joined the race to secure the signature of Burnley forward Andre Gray along with many other Premier league sides. The Saints have finally found some ground in the domestic league after the arrival of the much-hyped Napoli forward Manolo Gabbiadini.
Claude Puel had run short of options after Charlie Austin was ruled pretty much out for the season with a dislocated shoulder. Though Shane Long had taken the position well, he was missing the extra edge that the Italian has provided. And the pursuit of Gray only indicates that Puel doesn’t want to run into any crisis again.
Reportedly, Andre Gray looks more or less set to leave Turf Moor in the coming summer as his contract expires at the end of next season and talks are yet to start over a potential new deal. The 25-year-old English forward is one of the talents that has come to the fore in this fantastic Burnley season.
The Wolverhampton-born forward had a brilliant time in the previous campaign where he had scored 23 goals and although this season hasn’t been as overwhelming as the last one, the striker has still managed to bag eight times in 20 outings. It has already given rise to rumours that current England manager, Gareth Southgate, has even considered calling him up on the national duty, which is taking place later this month.
The absence of any kind of any of contract talks for the forward has encouraged clubs like West Ham United, Southampton, Stoke and Championship promotion hopefuls Newcastle United to track his developments with the club. Getting a player of his calibre at a cheap price will undoubtedly be a great buy.
There are rumours that while the Clarets have taken steps to open negotiations, the player is quite aware of his numerous suitors and is willing to play the waiting game on this one. A product of Shrewsbury, Gray broke into the first team in 2009 and moved to Hinckley United in 2010 on a free transfer. He was sent on loan to Luton Town before he made his move permanent in 2012. After two impressive seasons, Championship side Brentford picked him up in 2014 before finally joining Burnley in 2015.
A centre-forward by nature, Gray can also play on the wings quite effectively. Puel has played with a lone striker this season and his inclusion further will give the manager the luxury of playing two forwards up front that has always challenged the best of defences.
