MK Dons join Leyton Orient in transfer race to sign Burnley FC attacker | OneFootball

MK Dons are rivalling Leyton Orient in an ambitious move to sign Burnley striker Dara Costelloe.

According to reports on Sunday morning, League Two side MK Dons have joined the race to sign Dara Costelloe from Burnley this summer.

The 22-year-old has emerged as a wanted man this summer, following a loan spell at Northampton Town in the second half of last season, where he scored six goals in 15 league appearances for the Cobblers.

Reports from Alan Nixon emerged last week that defeated League One play-off finalists Leyton Orient were keen to strike a "bargain" deal for the Irishman, and talks were underway to make that happen.

However, the journalist has now reported that League Two outfit MK Dons have joined the race to sign Costelloe, and are hoping to talk him into a move to the fourth tier thanks to the big money the club has.

MK Dons join Leyton Orient in Dara Costelloe race

Following two strong loan spells at Accrington Stanley then Northampton, Costelloe is looking likely to be permanently departing Turf Moor this summer, following Burnley's promotion to the Premier League.

The attacker arrived in Lancashire in 2021, signing from Galway United, but has made just four league appearances in as many years for the Clarets, which saw him sent out on five different loan spells.

It was recently revealed by Nixon that the striker could well be set for a permanent move away from Burnley, as Leyton Orient were in talks to secure a "bargain" deal for Costelloe.

However, in a new update from the journalist, he stated that MK Dons are also keen on a move to sign the striker, and hope they can convince him to drop into League Two with their financial muscle.

Leyton Orient would be disappointed to lose Costelloe race

No team other than Birmingham City scored more goals than Leyton Orient in League One last season, which is a testament to how well Richie Wellens played the loan market.

Players such as Jamie Donley and Charlie Kelman are going to be extremely tough to try and replace, but swooping to secure Costelloe on a permanent deal could be a great bit of business for the O's, with short-term and long-term gains in mind.

Whilst Orient aren't one of the financial powerhouses in the third tier, they've proven already that they have the potential to compete with the best of the best in League One, thanks to their shrewd recruitment strategy, and Wellens' ability to get the best out of his players.

However, missing out on Costelloe to a team in the division below would be massively disappointing for the O's. Despite MK's superior financial capabilities, they will be disappointed that League One football under a top manager isn't enough of a draw, should they be beaten in the race to sign the Irishman.