EXCLUSIVE: Huge boost for Burnley with Clarets now set to finally get opportunity to sign midfield target on a bargain deal this January as player refuses to sign new deal at French club

Less than a week ago, it was revealed in the French media that Burnley were very interested in signing Pape Gueye from Marseille.

The player is six months away from his contract in the south of France expiring, which makes him a very attractive option for clubs in need of help in the centre of the pitch.

What’s even better for Burnley in all this, according to L’Equipe, is that Gueye is refusing to accept Marseille’s contract renewal offers, wanting to be paid as much as the team captain, Valentin Rongier.

This is something the Ligue 1 side cannot do, since his importance to their plans isn’t the same as the French midfielder’s, which is why the two parties are at a bit of an impasse.

So, in a bid to avoid a similar situation that saw Boubacar Kamara leave on a free for Aston Villa, they would prefer him to ‘leave through the front door’ in the shape of a transfer in January.

The English Premier League is Marseille’s favoured destination for the player, since they know there is interest and money there.

With the French club yet to hear back from Gueye after their second contract renewal offer, it’s believed there is little chance of a deal being struck, meaning Vincent Kompany and the Clarets could have a free and easy run at the midfielder, who scored for Senegal against Gambia in their 3-0 win on Monday.

The clarets would need to move in quickly for the player though as his performances at the ongoing AFCON might also attract fellow Premier League rivals.