Have Burnley made a clever move in securing Stoke City’s Jonathan Walters?

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According to sources close to Sky Sports on Wednesday afternoon, veteran Stoke City midfielder Jonathan Walters is on the verge of a move to Premier League rivals Burnley over the next few days.

It is understood that Stoke have accepted a bid in the region of £3 million for the 33-year-old Republic of Ireland international with a view to having the transfer finalised next Monday.

Walters is expected to undergo a medical at Turf Moor at the beginning of next week, as well as agree personal terms with the Clarets, and a move would signal the end of seven years with Stoke.

Would Walters add anything to Burnley next season?

In a word, absolutely.

After an impressive season back in the top-flight of the Premier League, next year is all about consolidation for Sean Dyche and his side – a job already made harder with Michael Keane gone.

With their influential defender on his way to rivals Everton in a £25 million deal, and with Joey Barton banned from football for 18 months, there is a big gap left, where a born leader is needed.

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This is where Walters could slot in perfectly and turn out to be one of the coups and bargains of the summer, with the Irish international ready made for this Burnley side.

At 33-years-old he may not be the quickest midfielder in the game, or the most agile, or even the most technically gifted footballer, but his wealth of experience in a stubborn Stoke side is priceless.

62 goals in a little over 250 appearances since signing from Ipswich in 2010 shows that he has pedigree at the highest level and, although his play is somewhat unorthodox, it is certainly effective.

Dogged and determined, Walters is a rare breed of player that will leave nothing on the pitch and battle right up until the final whistle, giving his all for his team.

This is something that could give Burnley a real boost next year, as Walters is capable of not only lifting his own game on the field but lifting the morale of others, an attribute you simply can’t buy nowadays.

The loss of both Barton and Keane ahead of next season is a blow but, if they can carry on making additions in a similar vein to Walters, then the Clarets should easily avoid trouble at the bottom.

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