Fabrizio Romano reveals 8-figure fee involved in Chelsea & Burnley agreement for Bashir Humphreys | OneFootball

Burnley have reached an agreement with Chelsea for the signing of Bashir Humphreys.

Burnley have signed Bashir Humphreys on a season-long loan from Premier League club Chelsea.

It was reported by Fabrizio Romano that Humphreys was set to move to Turf Moor in an initial temporary deal, which will turn into an obligation to buy at the end of the 2024-25 season for a total fee of £14.7 million - add-ons included.

Burnley however have claimed that the obligation to bring Humphreys in on a permanent basis next year is only an option, conflicting the report of the Italian transfer guru.

Nevertheless, the 21-year-old centre-back has become Scott Parker's eighth signing of the summer following his move from Stamford Bridge, and there could be more to follow in a potentially hectic end to the summer transfer window.

Burnley capitalising on potential with Chelsea, Bashir Humphreys deal

In signing Humphreys, Burnley are signing a player with high potential. At 21 years of age, the centre-back has his best years ahead of him and joins a rather young collective of defenders in East Lancashire.

Having spent last season on loan at Swansea City, Humphreys made 24 Championship appearances and scored once. The defender has also represented England across a range of youth levels, from under-15's to under-21's.

Given Chelsea's mammoth squad, it was always going to be tough for Humphreys to break into the first-team, and a loan move to the Championship offers a better opportunity of first team football.

Breaking into Burnley's first team will not be easy though. The Clarets currently have eight centre-backs in their ranks, including the likes of Ameen Al-Dakhil, Jordan Beyer and Dara O'Shea.

Although, Beyer is currently out with a hamstring injury and O'Shea has been heavily linked with a move away, with Wolves, Ipswich Town and Brentford all keen on the Irishman.

In the Clarets' opening two Championship games of the season, Scott Parker opted for O'Shea and Maxime Esteve as a pairing. If O'Shea were to depart for the Premier League, then the centre-back position would be very much up for grabs, leaving Humphreys with a great opportunity.

Bashir Humphreys' Burnley arrival could signal Dara O'Shea exit

Perhaps the reason Burnley signed Humphreys is that the club are about to sell O'Shea.

Indeed, the Irishman has been the subject of interest from Premier League duo Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers. According to Football Insider, O'Shea rejected the chance to sign for Ipswich Town, favouring a move elsewhere.

However, it is unlikely that O'Shea will be sold cheaply given the club only signed him last summer, coupled with his strong Premier League showings. The Clarets are in a strong selling position, given the Irishman has three years left on his current deal.

O'Shea started both Burnley's Championship opening games against Luton Town and Cardiff City and got himself on the scoresheet against the Hatters in a 4-1 drubbing at Kenilworth Road.

Since signing from West Brom for £7 million in 2023, the 25-year-old has made 39 appearances for Burnley, scoring five and assisting four times.

At 25 years of age, O'Shea is entering the prime of his career and a move to the Premier League could be one that is too good to turn down. If the Clarets were to lose the Irishman then it would be a blow, but they have a host of options at the club who could slot straight in to replace him.

The signing of Humphreys should be seen as a coup for the Clarets. The centre-back was also being pursued by Championship rivals, Leeds United, but Burnley swooped for the defender.

The Clarets have a wealth of options available at centre-back, meaning O'Shea could be set to depart Turf Moor. Speculation around the player has been rife over recent weeks.