Burnley

Burnley are interested in QPR defender Ronnie Edwards. The 23-year-old only moved to west London from Southampton for £4.5m in January. (West London Sport), external

You can find more of Monday's EFL gossip here.

David Anderson
BBC Sport England

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Former France Under-21s defender Maxime Esteve has left Burnley to join Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.

Burnley have agreed a reported fee of £27.3m for Esteve, two years after they paid Montpellier £10.2m to make his loan permanent.

Esteve, 24, was a big success at Turf Moor and key to their 2024-25 Championship-winning campaign under Scott Parker, playing all 46 league games.

The 6ft 4in centre-half initially joined Burnley on loan on transfer deadline day on 1 February 2024, under then manager Vincent Kompany, and made 100 appearances for the Clarets.

Burnley rewarded him for his progress with a five-year deal 12 months ago, but following their third relegation in five years from the Premier League, Esteve heads to a team who finished third in the German top flight last season.

David Anderson
BBC Sport England

Image source, Shutterstock

Galatasaray have confirmed former Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu has joined them on loan from Burnley in a deal that could eventually be worth £25.5m.

The Turkish club said in a statement that they have agreed to pay a £3m loan fee this season for the Clarets' record signing.

They also have the option of making the deal permanent next summer for another £22.5m or his transfer becomes obligatory if Ugochukwu makes 25 appearances.

Burnley need to sell after being relegated from the Premier League and Ugochukwu flew into Istanbul from Paris on Monday night on a private jet to complete the deal.

The former France Under-21 international has passed a medical and Galatasaray say he has agreed a contract worth £2.25m a year.

Ugochukwu, 22, told Galatasaray's YouTube Channel: "I'm proud to be here. I'm very happy. I've come to a very big team. Since I was a kid, I've always wanted to play for big clubs. Coming to this big club completes this happiness for me. I can't wait to meet our fans and get to know everyone."

Burnley paid a club record £25m for Ugochukwu when they signed him and Armando Broja from Chelsea last summer in a combined deal worth £45m.

Ugochukwu, who spent the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Southampton, made 35 Premier League appearances last season under former manager Scott Parker in their unsuccessful campaign to avoid relegation.

It took several months for Burnley to move on from former boss Scott Parker to new head coach Nicky Hayen, but it's not just the timing that's bothering former Clarets defender David Unsworth.

After several linked names appeared to fall through since Parker's departure in April, including Wales boss Craig Bellamy, Unsworth has concerns that Hayen's appointment may be a shot in the dark.

"There's been no communication behind it and that's the disappointing thing for me," the 52-year-old said.

"It's been poorly planned out and to take so long is not ideal. I'm sure the Burnley fans will all be sat feeling underwhelmed at the moment.

"The time and the choice and the names that were linked with the job, or turned down the job, this one just feels like have they just made a quick decision on who is available, if he's the only one available."

Listen to Unsworth's full reaction above or on BBC Sounds here

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Celtic, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers are among clubs interested in signing 20-year-old Utrecht forward Adrian Blake, who is valued at £2.5m. (Amar Mehta on X), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

It's in with the new for Burnley's managerial seat but should they say out with the old in terms of their coaching staff?

Before the appointment of Belgian head coach Nicky Hayen, talks between the club and Wales manager Craig Bellamy broke down in June with coaching staff understood to be an issue.

But while BBC Radio Lancashire's Dan Jewell thinks Hayen will eventually look to build his own backroom team, the staff brought in by former boss Scott Parker could be crucial to managing Burnley's inflated squad in the interim.

"I think Nicky Hayen would be well advised to lean heavily on these guys that are there and know these players," Jewell said.

"To know which of the ones that have been on the cusp for Burnley to keep, and to know which of the players to move on, will be very difficult.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we see him bring in a raft of his own people, certainly in the short-to-medium term; maybe that will be something that happens further down the line."

Listen to the full discussion below or on BBC Sounds here

Explore more Burnley content on BBC Sounds

West Ham and Burnley are set to battle Premier League sides for Norway World Cup midfielder Patrick Berg, 28, who has shone for Bodo/Glimt in Europe in recent seasons. (TeamTalk, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

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We asked you what you thought about the long-awaited appointment of new Burnley boss Nicky Hayen.

Some of you seem optimistic about your new Belgian manager, but the delay in his arrival since the departure of former boss Scott Parker has raised a few eyebrows.

Here is a selection of what you had to say:

Richard: I really hope Nicky can raise the mood and quality of football for Burnley. He doesn't seem to stick around in his managerial roles - it would be nice to have the same manager for more than two seasons.

Ian: Let's hope lightning strikes twice by appointing another coach from Belgium to get us promotion again. Although not as high profile as Kompany, it might be a good fit hopefully.

Ian: The Championship has a lot more depth than the last time Burnley were in it. The new manager has inherited a limited squad with a number of players who have demonstrated minimal commitment, and a number that have underperformed whilst out on loan.

Realistically a play-off spot would be a good achievement under the circumstances, for a manager with no real experience in England.

Doug: The 71-day delay has put the board in a 'must be successful' situation. If rumours are to be believed, [Alfie] Devine turned us down due to a lack of manager. The 'no fire sale' promptly followed by a fire sale and a complete lack of communication has widened fans' disconnect with the ownership group.

Hopefully worth the wait, but a poor start and toxicity will return with gusto. I must stress I haven't been critical of the board until the ill considered comments pitch-side in January. A critical tipping point.

Patrick: I'm from Belgium and I can say to all the Burnley fans that they've got a brilliant manager. Nicky Hayen is intelligent, tactical and wants attacking football. I'm sure he's gonna be loved by Burnley fans.

Image source, Getty Images

The final four remaining English Football League players have seen their World Cup hopes come to an end at the quarter-final stage.

Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik, 28, and defenders David Moller Wolfe (Wolves) and Sondre Langas (Derby County) bowed out when their Norway team was beaten 2-1 by England after extra time in Miami on Saturday.

Moller Wolfe, 24, was replaced after 90 minutes of the quarter-final and started five of the Norwegians' six games at the tournament, while Selvik and the 25-year-old Langas were unused substitutes, having featured in the just the one game, a 4-1 group defeat by France.

Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni could not keep Switzerland in the World Cup as he appeared as an 86th-minute substitute and played through extra time of their 3-1 loss to Argentina in Kansas City.

The 25-year-old made four appearances as a replacement during the competition but failed to get on the scoresheet.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley have entrusted former Genk boss Nicky Hayen with the task of guiding them to an immediate return to the Premier League.

The 45-year-old Belgian replaces Scott Parker, who left by mutual consent at the end of April as the Clarets suffered relegation.

Hayen, who had a spell with Welsh side Haverfordwest County between 2021 and 2022, led Genk to a seventh-placed finish in the Belgian top flight last season having also previously won the title when in charge of Club Brugge.

So, is he the right man to lead Burnley back to the Premier League? Would someone like Wales boss Craig Bellamy have been a better choice? Will the Clarets be challenging for promotion from the Championship under Hayen?

Burnley fans can send us their views here and check back later to read some of those thoughts.

Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, 22, is close to a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray. The deal is likely to be a loan-with-obligation-to-buy for a fee of £22m. (Fabrizio Romano), external

You can find more of Friday's EFL gossip here.

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We started with 49 EFL players at the World Cup but only four have survived to reach the quarter-finals with their respective teams.

England could face three of them with Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik and defenders David Moller Wolfe (Wolves) and Sondre Langas (Derby County) part of the Norway squad which has broken new ground by reaching the last eight.

Selvik, 28, has played one game at the tournament so far, a 4-1 defeat by France in their final group game, while Moller Wolfe, 24, has started four of their five matches.

Langas, 25, like Selvik has had just the one outing, also against France.

Norway meet England in Miami on Saturday, 11 July (KO 22:00 BST).

Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni appeared as an extra-time substitute for Switzerland in their last 16 win over Colombia on Tuesday night, going through 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw.

That was the 25-year-old's third appearance of the tournament, all of which have been from the bench and he will hope to feature in their quarter-final tie against Argentina in Kansas City on Sunday, 12 July (02:00 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley left-back Quilindschy Hartman has joined La Liga side RCD Espanyol on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old joined the Clarets from Feyenoord in June 2025 and made 21 Premier League appearances for them last season.

He also contributed five assists as the club were relegated to the Championship.

"The club wishes Quilindschy the best of luck for his loan spell," a Burnley statement said., external

Image source, Getty Images

Into the round of 16 we go at the World Cup and we still have some English Football League stars searching for international glory.

Here is where you can catch your players as we enter the next knock-out stage:

Saturday, 4 July

Alfie Jones, Middlesbrough - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)

Ali Ahmed, Norwich City - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)

Cyle Larin, Southampton - Canada v Morocco (18:00 BST)

Sunday, 5 July

Sondre Langas, Derby County - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)

Egil Selvik, Watford - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)

David Moller Wolfe, Wolves - Brazil v Norway (21:00 BST)

Monday, 6 July

Raul Jimenez, Wolves - Mexico v England (01:00 BST)

Jose Sa, Wolves - Portugal v Spain (20:00 BST)

Tuesday, 7 July

Zeki Amdouni, Burnley - Switzerland v Colombia (21:00 BST)

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Burnley forward Zeki Amdouni featured in the closing minutes of Switzerland's 2-0 victory over Algeria on Friday morning to help the side win their first World Cup knockout game since 1938.

The 25-year-old came on as a substitute for goalscorer Breel Embolo in the 83rd minute after spending the past two group games on the bench.

Switzerland will now face either Colombia or Ghana on Tuesday at 21:00 BST in the last 16.

Wolves keeper Jose Sa will also be heading into the next round after Portugal beat Croatia, but their 2-1 victory caused controversy as Croatia had an equaliser ruled out in the 103rd minute after video assistant referee intervention.

Sa is yet to pick up any minutes at this World Cup.

Portugal play Spain on Monday at 20:00 BST, with the winner facing hosts USA or Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Image source, Getty Images

The TV schedule for the opening two months of the English Football League's 2026-27 season have been announced and with that, there are a few games getting a headline slot.

Here are the new dates to jot into your calendars across the EFL in August and September:

• Thursday, 20 August - Sheffield Wednesday v Bradford City (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 23 August - West Bromwich Albion v Burnley (12:00 BST)

• Friday, 28 August - Wrexham v Birmingham City (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 6 September - Birmingham City v Wolves (12:00 BST)

• Monday, 7 September - Bromley v AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST)

• Thursday, 10 September - Stevenage v Luton Town (20:00 BST)

• Friday, 11 September - West Ham United v Wrexham (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 13 September - Sheffield United v Wolves (12:00 BST)

• Thursday, 17 September - AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons (20:00 BST)

• Friday, 18 September - Bristol City v Watford (20:00 BST)

• Sunday, 20 September - Wolves v West Bromwich Albion (12:00 BST)

The above matches are the single-game choices whose dates have been moved for TV coverage - there are also a number of Saturday lunchtime, evening and multi-game midweek matches also being televised. The full list is available here., external

The BBC Sport website will have live text commentaries of all the above fixtures and you can also tune in to games via your local BBC Radio station.

Image source, Getty Images

Four English Football League stars have exited the World Cup after DR Congo and Senegal suffered defeats in the last 32 on Wednesday.

West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe were both in the starting line-up for DR Congo's 2-1 loss to England, the African side having led through a seventh-minute goal from Brian Cipenga.

Watford's Edo Kayembe came on as a DR Congo substitute in the 76th minute before Harry Kane netted a second goal to send the Three Lions through.

Meanwhile, Hammers left-back El-Hadji Malick Diouf featured for Senegal as an extra-time substitute in their game against Belgium but a controversial late penalty from Youri Tielemans knocked the Lions of Teranga out of the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves striker Raul Jimenez scored during Mexico's victory over Ecuador on Wednesday to set up a potential last-16 tie with England at the World Cup.

The 35-year-old doubled the host nation's lead by finding the top corner during the 2-0 win and Maxico will now face either the Three Lions or DR Congo on Monday at 01:00 BST for a place in the quarter-finals.

Wanderers team-mate David Moller Wolfe also secured a place in the last 16 after starting the match for Norway in their 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

The defender will be joined by Egil Selvik of Watford and Derby County's Sondre Langas as the Norwegians head to New Jersey to play Brazil on Sunday at 21:00 BST.

However, there are some English Football League players who will not be continuing to feature in the tournament after yesterday's results.

Rams stopper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom was between the sticks for Sweden's knockout match against France on Tuesday but they succumbed to a 3-0 loss.

Stoke City keeper Viktor Johansson and Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal also return home following Sweden's loss without any tournament minutes under their belt.