Burnley manager Nicky Hayen has admitted the club could sell Lyle Foster before the transfer window closes, with the South African striker among three players whose futures are uncertain at Turf Moor.
The Clarets have made a difficult start to their return to the Championship, taking one point from their opening two matches. After a 2-2 draw with West Ham, Burnley were beaten 3-1 by West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.
With the club seeking to reduce its wage bill while also strengthening Hayen’s squad, Foster, Hjalmar Ekdal and Andreas Hountondji were left out of the squad at The Hawthorns.
Asked whether the trio could leave before the 1 September deadline, Hayen acknowledged that departures were possible.
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“That’s a possibility,” he said.
“When there are players coming in we also have to make decisions on who is going out. With these players, that’s something we have to discuss.”
Foster has endured an unsettled period at Burnley, with the 25-year-old having previously attracted interest from clubs outside England. His omission from the squad will inevitably increase speculation over his future as Burnley attempt to reshape their squad.
Hayen also stressed that attacking reinforcements remain a priority after Burnley’s opening two fixtures highlighted their need for greater threat in the final third.
“We knew, even from last season, that we need more goal threatening,” he said.
The Belgian also warned that new arrivals would need time to adjust to the demands of the Championship.
“They have to adapt. Not only that, but also the intensity and then you have to increase your intensity.”
With the transfer deadline approaching, Burnley face a balancing act between cutting costs, adding attacking quality and deciding which players remain part of Hayen’s plans.