Rumour Mill-Zoumana Bakayogo Who?

Burnley, along with Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich are just three clubs thought to be interested in signing the services of 26 year old left-back, Zoumana Bakayogo. A number of French clubs are also thought to be interested. His current club, Tranmere Rovers though are currently leading the League 1 table and could be loathe to lose the attacking full-back in the January window.

The left-back is out of contract at the end of the season and a number of clubs including the Clarets are thought to be monitoring his situation at Prenton Park. The defender is a former Cote d'Ivoire U23 international who started his professional career with Paris Saint-Germain in 2004. He joined then League 1 club Millwall in 2006 and a loan spell at Brighton followed. Bakayogo was released from the South Bermondsey club in early 2009 and returned to France, joining UJA Alfortville. It was announced that Tranmere Rovers had signed Bakayogo on a free transfer on1 September 2009 initially on a one-year deal, further contract extensions followed, his last being in May 2011, when he signed a further two year contract which will run until the summer of this year.

Do the Clarets though need a left-back? Ben Mee of course is out injured at the moment and although he has made that position his own, he prefers to play in the centre of defence. Danny Lafferty, a recognised left back is currently standing in for Mee and is doing reasonably well keeping out on loan left back, Joseph Mills. Mills seems out of favour under Dyche and will return to parent club, Reading at the end of the season.

There is therefore an argument that suggests we need left back cover, certainly for next season. This would allow Mee to play in the centre of defence and ensure we had another two players next season who are recognised left back defenders.

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