What Josh Brownhill has said about his Burnley FC future as uncertainty intensifies | OneFootball

Brownhill is coming to the end of his Clarets contract next month amid transfer interest from across Europe

Burnley midfielder Josh Brownhill is yet to sign a new deal with the newly-promoted Clarets, with his current contract set to expire at the end of June amid reported transfer interest from Everton and West Ham.

Burnley won promotion back to the Premier League last month as a stellar campaign led by Scott Parker eventually saw them finish with 100 points, to become the greatest team in English football to finish second in the table, and only 16 league goals conceded all season, which worked out as the best defensive record in English league history.

Central midfielder Brownhill was a key man for the Turf Moor outfit throughout their promotion-winning season, registering 18 goals and six assists in 42 league appearances, and his outstanding form has made handing him a new contract a priority for the Clarets ahead of their return to the top-flight.

The 29-year-old is yet to sign any fresh terms as yet, however, and both Everton and West Ham are believed to be lining up a move for his services on a free transfer this summer, so Burnley need to act fast to get him tied down as soon as possible.

What Josh Brownhill has said about his Burnley contract situation

Brownhill has been one of the Clarets' most important players since his arrival from Bristol City over five years ago, but he was set to become a free agent at the end of last season as Burnley suffered relegation back to the second-tier, yet signed a one-year extension to his deal to cover this term and was handed the captaincy by Scott Parker ahead of the new campaign.

His strong showings throughout the last season have meant he has had to answer constant questions about where his future lies beyond next month. He admitted back in March that he would only come to a decision at the end of the season, and reiterated the same notion in April, so now it is over, he clearly has a huge choice to make.

Brownhill's latest comments point to a clear desire to stay at Turf Moor for next season and beyond, as he made a plea to Clarets owner Alan Pace to get his contract situation sorted in an interview with Burnley.co.uk, via TurfCastPodcast on X, in the aftermath of their promotion celebrations.

"That's what I am hoping for!," he said, when asked by the Mayor of Burnley if he was going to sign a new deal.

"If anybody can message Alan (Pace) and get it sorted quicker rather than later, that would be better."

Brownhill's comments can certainly be taken as tongue-in-cheek, but clearly hint at a contract extension being in the pipeline soon. Burnley have since confirmed that discussions are 'ongoing' with the 29-year-old over a new deal, and it does feel likely that he will be penning new terms before next month is over.

Brownhill has attracted Premier League transfer interest - he has multiple options this summer

It comes as little surprise to see Brownhill on the radar of numerous top-flight clubs as he nears the final stages of his existing Clarets deal. He has just completed the best season of his career to date from central midfield, and is now clearly ready to be a regular in the top-flight.

Leeds United were claimed to be interested in securing his services ahead of the January window, according to TBR Football, but then faced competition from the likes of West Ham, Brighton and Fulham. A move to the Whites does seem unlikely now, however, given Burnley's similar status as a newly-promoted Premier League team.

He has previously been the subject of interest from Süper Lig side Trabzonspor, while both Celtic and Rangers have been linked to him in recent windows too, but it looks as if West Ham and David Moyes' Everton stand the best chance of sealing a deal for him this summer if he does leave East Lancashire.

Football Insider have recently reported that both the Hammers and the Toffees are keeping close tabs on his contract situation, with each club keen to strengthen their respective midfields in the summer and alert to the potential opportunity to sign him on a free transfer.

Meanwhile, a new report from Turkish outlet Gune Bakis claims that Trabzonspor have not given up on acquiring the Warrington-born midfielder yet, with his name on their list of transfer targets, but they are now facing competition from fellow Süper Lig side Besiktas, who are also reportedly interested in his services.

Brownhill is clearly a wanted man across Europe, but the most likely outcome right now does feel like an extension to his five-year stay at Turf Moor. He is a favourite among Clarets fans, and will no doubt have settled at the club over the last few seasons, so the prospect of playing in the Premier League with them once again is surely one that will appeal more than any move away.