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FLW's Burnley fan pundit has given his verdict on CJ Egan-Riley's potential move to Strasbourg

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 are at risk of losing centre-back CJ Egan-Riley this summer amid interest from Strasbourg.

According to talkSPORT, the defender is close to joining the French side after receiving an offer for a five-year contract.

Egan-Riley’s current deal at Turf Moor is set to expire in June, meaning he is free to discuss terms with prospective new clubs.

The 22-year-old was a key part of Scott Parker’s side last season, making 41 appearances in the Championship as the team earned automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

CJ Egan-Riley exit claim

When asked whether Egan-Riley would be better off leaving or staying, FLW’s Burnley fan pundit Will Lancaster claimed a move to Strasbourg would be an understandable exit strategy.

He believes a move to another Premier League side wouldn’t make sense amid interest from West Ham, Brentford and Brighton, per TBR Football, but signing for Liam Rosenior’s team would be a career step that makes sense.

“See, for me, this is a move that would maybe make sense for CJ,” Lancaster told Football League World.

“He’s been linked with the likes of West Ham in the Premier League, and I don’t know if he’s quite ready to move into a relatively big side in the division and marshall their defence.

“I know that they’ve had defensive struggles this season and Max Kilman has really been their only good centre-half, but the Premier League is a different kettle of fish.

“And he’s untested there, he’s had a handful of appearances for City, none for us in the Premier League, and even last season he was at Hibs and PSV’s youth team, so I don’t think that we expected this rise from him this year.

“And obviously, given our defensive record, we’d be able to give him guaranteed first team football.

“But a move to Strasbourg would genuinely make a little bit of sense, as opposed to a Premier League move.

“They’re still in the Champions League race, under an English coach as well, who has just signed a new contract.

“That could be something that persuades him, and obviously it would be detrimental, if you will, to Burnley but I do think he would have his best chance either with us or at Strasbourg.

“It would be harmful to our chances of staying up, and financially, but I do think it’s an understandable potential move.”

Burnley had the best defensive record in the Championship last season, conceding 16 goals from 46 fixtures.

CJ Egan-Riley departure would be a real blow for Burnley

The opportunity to sign for Strasbourg is an interesting one for Egan-Riley, and it’s no surprise he’s considering it.

The French side are looking likely to be competing in Europe next year in some form, and there is a lot of excitement surrounding Rosenior’s work with the club.

Their connection to Chelsea through multi-club ownership also means there’s a pathway to playing for the Blues in the future if he does well in Ligue 1.

It will be a big blow for Burnley to lose such an important player before their Premier League return, especially as it’ll be for nothing, but these are the risks clubs take when players enter the final 12 months of their deal.