Three signings Burnley should still make this summer feat. Liverpool star

Add as preferred source on Google

Dale Stephens

According to recent reports, Burnley have seen a third bid rejected for Brighton and Hove Albion star player Dale Stephens, with Crystal Palace said to be circling. The 27-year-old bounced around the lower leagues during the formative years of his career, taking in the insalubrious surroundings of Bury, Droylsden, Oldham, Rochdale, Southampton and Charlton.

Stephens moved to Brighton in January 2014, where he has scored 11 Championship goals in 67 starts, and impressed on Brighton’s remarkable run that took to the brink of promotion last season.

It remains to be seen whether the Brighton midfielder is a reserve option should a bid for Hendrick fail, or if the Burnley board will stretch to bringing in the two of them. Stephens is the silkier of the two players, and might enable Burnley to unlock defences when they play at Turf Moor and have more of the game.

Stephens completed 84% of his passes and averaged 52 of them per game last season; though it should be noted that he was playing in a more ascendant Brighton team compared to Hendrick at Derby.

He is not without bite however, averaging 2.7 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game, a greater defensive output than Hendrick in both fields.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Tricia H.Kuhn