"£1.6m is so cheap" - Burnley FC backed to beat Coventry City in transfer chase | OneFootball

We asked FLW's Burnley fan pundit, Josh Lucas, whether the signing of Kai Wagner from the MLS would be a smart signing.

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...

Scott Parker's Burnley have been rumoured, along with Coventry City, to be interested in acquiring German left-back Kai Wagner, who has a reported release clause of £1.6 million, as per Sky journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Currently playing for American side Philadelphia Union, the attack-minded defender has been superb in this year's MLS - his ten assists the joint-most of any defender in the league, matched only by the esteemed company of Jordi Alba.

The acquisition of a left-back may not seem like a priority at Turf Moor, as the Clarets' defence are shaping up to be one of if not the most staunch in the league's history.

With just six goals conceded in 18 games, the Lancashire side look well on course to break the previous record-low of 30, held jointly by Watford (2020/21) and Preston (2005/06).

So, despite the seemingly economical price, is there really a need to bring in a player of Wagner's profile halfway through this already impressive campaign?

'Pires can be hit-and-miss'

Pires' once-thought guaranteed place in the side has already come under scrutiny, falling out of favour to England U21's Bashir Humphries in November, a natural centre-back who has been excelling in the role.

With all this in mind, we asked FLW's Burnley fan pundit, Josh Lucas, whether the Wagner deal would be a smart signing, or is perhaps the existing duo of Humphreys and Pires ample enforcement to see them through the campaign.

Lucas said: “Although I believe that Humphreys has come in and done a very good job north of Pires, I feel like it would be a smart signing, as Humpreys isn’t naturally a left back and Pires can be hit-and-miss when he plays.

“I think it would be a very good signing, obviously a very attacking full back, which may help us get a few more goals in the future.

“£1.6m is so cheap to get someone in, I am currently hearing from other sources that it’s just agent talk, but if it is true then I think we should get him. If nothing else, just to make sure we’ve got enough cover in that position. If Pires picks up a small injury in the run in, would Humphreys be able to play every game? Or vice-versa?“

It appears, at least from Lucas' perspective, that such is the demand of a full Championship season, you can never quite have enough reinforcements, especially one as potentially impactful as the German.

Burnley are already the club with the most players used this campaign, and while this may unsettle certain dressing rooms, it seems to be working for Scott Parker so far.

Despite being 27-years-old, Kai Wagner remains ever improving and represents genuine Premier League potential, for less than £2 million, this could be a fantastic, low-risk acquisition for the Clarets.