Leyton Orient in talks to seal bargain Burnley transfer swoop after 6-goal League One loan stint | OneFootball

Leyton Orient are interested in a move for Burnley forward Dara Costelloe this summer

Leyton Orient are eyeing up a move for Burnley forward Dara Costelloe.

Richie Wellens’ side reached the League One play-off final last season, but were bested by Charlton Athletic at Wembley to deny them promotion.

Now, they are turning to the transfer market to try and bolster their attack ahead of a promotion charge next term, and Costelloe has appeared on their radar.

Leyton Orient looking to snap up Dara Costelloe

Only Birmingham City scored more goals than Orient in League One last season, but the East London outfit are looking to add some extra firepower in the early stages of the summer window.

According to Alan Nixon via his Patreon channel, Wellens and Orient are aiming to complete a "bargain" move for Costelloe, with talks underway to make it happen.

The 22-year-old scored six goals in 15 appearances for Northampton Town last season, playing exclusively through the middle of the pitch as a striker despite naturally being a winger, and Orient are looking to provide him with a permanent League One platform to show what he can do.

Costelloe began the 2024/25 campaign on loan with Accrington Stanley but was recalled in January to gain experience at a more competitive level.

Orient will be conscious of the fact that they will be without Charlie Kelman’s services next season, after he returned to parent club QPR following the expiration of his loan deal. The 23-year-old netted 27 times and provided six assists in 61 outings for Wellens’ side, and output like that will be tough to replace.

They have subsequently identified Costelloe as the man to take on that challenge and will hope to strike a deal with Burnley in due course.

Dara Costelloe could run riot at Brisbane Road next season given the right service

Costelloe proved that he is a capable League One goalscorer whilst on loan with Northampton Town last season and in a more competitive outfit, could perform at an even higher standard next term.

The 2024/25 campaign acted as somewhat of a breakout year for the Irish forward, having previously struggled to impress during loan moves at Scottish pair Dundee FC and St Johnstone.

Orient showed last season that they are a brilliant environment for young attackers to show what they can do, with Kelman’s output a clear example.

Therefore, if they can acquire Costelloe for a sensible fee, Wellens could utilise the 22-year-old’s obvious ability to wreak havoc among League One defences, as they aim to repeat their play-off feat of the previous season.