Everything Nicky Hayen had to say on transfers ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline
Nicky Hayen has admitted Burnley have knocked back a bid for in-demand striker Zian Flemming.
The future of the 28-year-old Dutchman continues to dominate the news headlines, amid ongoing interest from French side Lille.
Premier League sides Coventry City, Everton, Ipswich Town and Leeds United have also been credited with interest.
Flemming was forced to miss last weekend’s game at West Brom with a minor calf issue, but returned to Burnley’s bench for the midweek cup tie at Bradford City - coming on for the last 10 minutes and scoring a penalty during the shootout.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Norwich City, Hayen confirmed to the press that the plan is for Flemming to travel and be a part of Burnley’s squad.
During his pre-match press conference, Hayen also addressed Burnley’s interest in Hull City left-back Ryan Giles as well as what can be expected from the final few days of the transfer window, which closes on Tuesday night.
Here’s everything he had to say on the transfer front:
How is Flemming’s fitness? Do you expect him to travel to Norwich?
“So he had a good day after and also today on the training session, he seemed really good so Zian is ready to play.”
Is there concrete interest in Zian?
“Of course, but it's not only him. There are a lot of players who are involved.
“This is the toughest period actually for every manager of a club, because you try to manage your team, you try to build in a certain structure a strong team. But still something can happen in the transfer window and it can be that two players go out, three players go out or come in, so this is the heaviest period for each manager.
“But we're not losing our energy in that because we have a really important game tomorrow and that's the most important thing.”
Has there been a bid for Zian?
“If we had a bid then I would know. So I think there was an offer but it was not high enough, I think it was also shown in the press.
“But at the moment, Zian is here and we try to keep him here.”
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Have you spoken to Zian? Has he expressed a desire to leave?
“I have actually several conversations with Zian, also about his fitness and also with the transfer.
“But it was already weeks ago also so I'm quite open to my players, he's also open and he was open.
“I said it a few weeks ago or maybe last week, that everyone has the ambition to play in the Premier League, so also Zian.
“But everyone has the right price and if the price doesn't come Zian will be here 100 per cent with his mind, because this is what he showed the last few weeks but also the last few years.”
Do you have a replacement lined up if Zian goes?
“This is something that we will see.
“I told also we're working hard behind the scenes, so we're busy with everything.
“But if there's no clear offer I don't have to think about it, so we're working behind the scenes really hard. This is what I said and this is how we keep on going.”
Do you expect more signings anyway?
“Yes, correct. That's what we said last week.
“So we keep on trying to strengthen our squad so that means players will come in, players will go out and the last few days we will use it to strengthen our squad.”
Interest in Ryan Giles - related to Bashir Humphreys injury?
“No, because we were looking actually for, like I said we are trying to strengthen up the squad also with senior players, players who already know first of all maybe the league but also have the quality to improve our squad.
“This is the most important, that we have a really good balance between experienced players and young talents.”
How likely is it that the Giles deal happens?
“That's the case normally if you are in conversation with a player, so we hope that we can make some deals before Tuesday.”
Do you expect a frantic few days?
“We're just focusing on the game, so it is busy days at the moment, I can assure you.
“But it's for every manager, so especially when you're involved in the conversations and for having the transfers.
“That's why I said I really like the open conversation and the open communication between the staff and the management, so I'm aware of all the situations and we just have to make the right decisions now.”
Do you need to get the balance right in midfield?
“That's a possibility. So like I said, we're looking for the best kind of deals but it has to be feasible, it has to be possible.
“Everything what we can do to strengthen this team, we will use.”
Dilemma bringing in a new no.6 when you’ve got Josh Cullen to come back?
“Yeah, this is the exercise that we have to make.
“But of course I see Josh working really hard every single day, he seems good and we know how important he is for this team.
“But of course, coming back after the injury and being match fit takes already a little bit of time, so we give him also the time.
“But if another person comes in that means also more competition and you know how many games there are in the Championship, so we can use everyone.”