Now the 2025/26 Premier League season has come to a conclusion, attention will inevitably focus to what comes next.
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Opinion: Burnley can take minimal comfort from avoiding wooden spoon ignominy](https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/opinion-burnley-can-take-minimal-comfort-from-avoiding-wooden-spoon-ignominy-8639089 "Opinion: Burnley can take minimal comfort from avoiding wooden spoon ignominy")
After another disappointing campaign in the top flight, which has ended with a third straight relegation from this level, focus will turn to sealing another immediate return from the Championship.
While Burnley are currently without a manager, there’s still plenty of big decisions to be made behind the scenes.
One of the items on top of the agenda list is the club’s retained list, with decisions to be made over the futures of Burnley’s out-of-contract stars.
While clubs in the EFL are given a specific date in which retained lists must be published, there is no such procedure in the Premier League.
It’s understood, however, that it’s expected to be released within a week of the end of the season.
As a general course of action, clubs generally tend to make an announcement relatively soon after the season has finished to give their players as much clarity as possible.
Ashley Barnes, Martin Dubravka and Axel Tuanzebe are all out of contract this summer. Pictures: Getty Imagesplaceholder image
Ashley Barnes, Martin Dubravka and Axel Tuanzebe are all out of contract this summer. Pictures: Getty Images
Last season, the Clarets announced their retained list on May 20, 17 days after their final game of the season.
As part of their statement, the club also revealed which academy and women players would be staying or leaving.
Who could leave?
The Clarets could be about to bid farewell to a club legend Ashley Barnes, who is among those out of contract this summer.
The 36-year-old appeared to be saying his farewells on Sunday after being brought on for a late cameo during the final day draw with Wolves.
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If he does indeed part ways, it will bring an end to a memorable two spells where he played a part in four different promotions.
Elsewhere, Martin Dubravka, Vaclav Hladky and Axel Tuanzebe also see their deals come to an end.
Josh Laurent’s current deal is also about to expire, but the club do hold the option to trigger an extra 12 months, which they are expected to do so.
James Ward-Prowse will return to West Ham following his temporary loan spell, but Burnley are obligated to make Florentino Luis’ loan from Benfica permanent.
Owen Dodgson (Stockport County), Oliver Sonne (Sparta Prague), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta Rotterdam), Jaydon Banel (Derby County), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC), Andréas Hountondji (St Pauli), Michael Mellon (Oldham Athletic) and Michael Obafemi (Blackpool) will all return to the club from their respective loan spells.
It’s understood Paris FC do hold an option to buy Koleosho, however, while Stockport hold a similar agreement with Dodgson.
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