Football
Exclusive: Burnley Ready to Reward Egan-Riley with New Deal After Breakout Season
Burnley are eager to secure defender CJ Egan-Riley to a long-term deal as his contract expires soon. The young star has impressed this season, earning interest from several Premier League clubs. Despite a low initial cost of £400,000, his value has skyrocketed to £14-16 million.
Burnley FC v Stoke City FC - Sky Bet Championship by Molly Darlington | Getty Images
Premier League-bound Burnley are hoping to tie star defender CJ Egan-Riley to a long-term deal at Turf Moor, SportsBoom sources can reveal.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation for the Clarets this season in a memorable campaign which saw the Lancashire club claim a memorable promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
But the highly-rated centre-back is out of contract next month and is attracting no shortage of Premier League suitors.
Egan-Riley started his professional career with Manchester City but struggled to secure a regular starting place with The Citizens.
Ex-Manchester City Vincent Kompany signed him when he was manager at Turf Moor and sent the player out on loan at Hibernian and Dutch club Jong PSV to get some much-needed first-team football under his belt.
And the loan spells worked with Egan-Riley have matured lots since signing for the club 2021.
He represented England at Under-15 level and has played for his country at every level, including two appearances for England Under-21s, this year.
RISING STOCK
Those international caps understandably saw Egan-Riley’s stock rise and he was won many new admirers following some starring performances in the Championship this season.
He played a key role in Burnley’s excellent defensive record in the second tier and is viewed as a possible England centre-half in some quarters.
But with reputation and limelight comes more attention – and SportsBoom understands a number of Premier League clubs have had scouts watching the player this season.
Egan-Riley is believed to have cost Burnley just £400,000, with Kompany having used his strong links with his former club to sign the player.
And now the player is valued at between £14-16 million, with his move to the Premier League the next big test.
He played 42 games this season in a campaign to savour, but will be looking to take his game to the next level next season with his first taste of Premier League football seemingly on the horizon.
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