Irish defender, Dara O’Shea, joined Burnley last summer but failed to keep the Clarets up, with an influx of centre-backs now opening the door for the 25-year-old who has plenty of admirers.
O’Shea joined Burnley in 2023
Dara O’Shea had been a long-term servant for West Brom, amassing over 100 appearances for The Baggies ever since breaking through from the club’s youth ranks back in 2019. (TransferMarkt)
The Dublin-born defender remained a consistent part of West Brom’s squad as they floated in and out of the Premier League, making 28 top-flight appearances before his switch to Burnley in the summer of 2023.
Newly appointed Bayern Munich manager, Vincent Kompany, signed O’Shea as a first-choice defender alongside German centre-half Jordan Beyer with the hope of reinstating Burnley’s stature as a consistent Premier League team.
Despite the £7 million forked out for O’Shea, the defender failed to help salvage Burnley’s sinking ship from eventual relegation. Even being dismissed in one of the Claret’s crunch games at the end of the season, away to Everton, a decision that was later described as ‘harsh’ by former officials. (Burnley Express)
Why is O’Shea leaving after just one season?
Despite having only just signed for Burnley last season, O’Shea looks set to make an exit from Burnley, due to widespread interest and the fact that new manager, Scott Parker, currently has an incredible, seven senior centre-backs at the club.
Record Sport did report at the beginning of July that Celtic were a side interested in luring O’Shea away from Burnley this summer, although a move could be difficult with the club considering O’Shea still to be a major player.
The arrival of Scott Parker as well as the signing of 22-year-old defender, Maxime Esteve, in addition to a sizable transfer fee appears to have swayed the recently relegated side’s stance on selling O’Shea this summer.
Ipswich’s approach has been snubbed by O’Shea who wants a move to Brentford
Newly promoted side, Ipswich Town, are making their return to the Premier League after 22 years away from the top division, with Kieran McKenna’s side trying their best to ensure that they beat the drop next season
A key aspect of achieving that goal is to have a water-tight defence, hence why the Tractor Boys made an approach to snatch Dara O’Shea away from Burnley, who clocked the 7th highest speed in the Premier League last season. (Premier League)
Ipswich’s approach was brushed aside by Dara O’Shea according to Football Insider as the Irishman favours a move to Thomas Frank’s Brentford instead.
A Brentford switch could be a real possibility for O’Shea with HITC reporting that The Bees have submitted a second bid for the 25-year-old defender after their opening offer was batted away by Scott Parker’s side, with there now being growing confidence over a deal being struck between the two sides.