Angers' French midfielder Baptiste Santamaria (left) fights for the ball with Monaco's Russian midfielder Aleksandr Golovin (right) during the Ligue One match between both sides at the Raymond Kopa Stadium in Angers on December 14, 2019. (Getty Images)
According to RMC Sport (h/t Daily Mail), Premier League side Burnley have held talks over a move for £12m-rated Angers midfielder Baptiste Santamaria.
The 25-year-old has been a regular in the Ligue 1 side since joining them from second-division side Tours FC back in 2014. A holding midfielder, Santamaria featured in all of Angers’ 28 league games last season and kept 12 clean sheets in the process, giving a fair glimpse of his defensive capabilities.
The Frenchman also has 134 Ligue 1 games under his belt, suggesting that he is nothing short of experience. With his performances in the midfield for Angers improving with the time, he had become the subject of £12million interest for Aston Villa earlier this year.
Santamaria also came under the radar of Leicester City and Everton, however, Burnley are the latest Premier League outfit who have expressed an interest in him.
Meanwhile, Sean Dyche’s Clarets lost experienced midfielder Jeff Hendrick in June after his four-year stint with the club ended due to the expiry of his contract.
The versatile Hendrick was a key player within the Burnley side in the past couple of years and the club are yet to find a suitable replacement for the Irishman.
Also, the Clarets currently have only two defensive midfielders – Jack Cork and Ashley Westwood in their ranks but the two are already past their thirties. Though Cork and Westwood have been regulars under Dyche, their age remains a concern and it would be better to bring a new face into the side if they wish to have a secure future.
That said, Burnley’s interest in Santamaria makes complete sense as he could prove to be an excellent replacement for the departed Hendricks. He can also offer Dyche depth in the defensive midfield role if they succeed in landing him.
Hence, the Clarets should push ahead in their efforts to sign the Angers midfielder as he could be an excellent fit at Turf Moor.
Burnley recently lost a versatile midfielder in Jeff Hendrick and Santamaria would be a good choice to replace him. The Frenchman has been a regular in the Angers side in the last few years, meaning he can offer Burnley some consistency in the midfield. By all means, his addition will only bolster the Burnley squad and help them sustain in the Premier League.
