Burnley FC urged to sign classy midfielder - He was previously wanted by Leeds United and Southampton | OneFootball

Football League World's Burnley fan pundit had his say on the club's reported interest in Bristol Rovers midfielder Kofi Shaw

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Burnley will undoubtedly have their focus firmly fixated on the ever-intensifying race for automatic promotion to the Premier League between themselves, Leeds, and Sheffield United, but are clearly intent on building the foundations for long-term success.

The Clarets have a number of players currently in Scott Parker's side with huge potential resale value, such as James Trafford, CJ Egan-Riley, Maxime Esteve and even the likes of Hannibal Mejibri and Luca Koleosho, while much will be hoped of exciting winger Jaydon Banel, who was signed from Ajax in the most recent window.

Away from the first-team frame, however, there is a notable shortage of emerging talent at the Lancashire club. It's something supporters are aware of, and Burnley are seemingly eager to recruit more long-term prospects.

Earlier this week, FLW exclusively revealed the Clarets' interest in Salford City's 15-year-old midfield prodigy Marshall Heys, who became the youngest player to ever represent a professional club in the FA Cup earlier this season when he appeared against Shrewsbury Town.

Meanwhile, according to The Sun's Alan Nixon - via his exclusive Patreon service - Burnley are among a number of clubs chasing a deal for Bristol Rovers talent Kofi Shaw. The 17-year-old, who has made 10 League One appearances for the Gas this term, is also reportedly wanted by Premier League duo Brentford and Brighton, while he was previously linked with Aston Villa, Leeds United and Southampton.

Shaw, a technically-gifted central midfielder by trade, has been earmarked as one of the brightest young talents in the EFL and it's no surprise that he is the subject of interest from both Championship and Premier League clubs.

Burnley FC backed to sign Bristol Rovers' Kofi Shaw

FLW spoke with our Clarets fan pundit, Will Lancaster, if he believes Shaw could prove a good signing for the Championship promotion hopefuls.

Will noted the lack of young talent currently coming through the ranks and thinks Shaw could be an extremely shrewd capture for the future if the right price can be negotiated.

"There's quite a lack of young talent at Turf Moor in terms of the academy side," Will told FLW.

"We've got a partnership with Dundee, there are a few players out there and you've got Tommy McDermott and Joe Bauress who are the two most-heralded youngsters in the academy side who aren't first-team regulars.

"It's always good to bring in players [like Kofi Shaw] who are 18 years old and have already played for the first-team at Bristol Rovers, it's only a division below where we are right now.

"I think it's good to have an eye to the future. If Scott Parker is looking to have a long-term tenure with the club and he can forge a relationship with these players and help their development, they're always welcome.

"I think it would be a good signing as long as the fee isn't too heavy, which I doubt it will be. You can't turn down a young signing, with massive potential like Shaw, for sort of a nominal fee."

Burnley FC must follow careful Kofi Shaw strategy if Bristol Rovers deal is completed

Shaw would be an exciting signing for Burnley on the condition that they manage his development carefully.

Far too many times over the years, at all different clubs, we have seen young talent from the lower echelons of the EFL cherry-picked, only for those players to seemingly fall through the cracks and fail to kick on after being plucked out of professional football to play at under-21's level.

If Burnley were to sign Shaw, a loan exit for the 2025/26 campaign would surely be the best course of action for his development. Ideally, of course, that would be back to an all-too-familiar environment in Bristol Rovers, where he could then build up a solid body of work and experience to return and push for first-team contention.