Francesco Margiotta Image credit: Google)
According to The Sun (h/t Lancs Live), Burnley are interested in signing FC Luzern star Francesco Margiotta ahead of the new campaign.
The report suggests that the Italian, who has two years left on his contract with Luzern, could be a cheaper option for the Clarets should they make a move for a striker this summer.
Born in Italy, Margiotta came through the ranks of Juventus’ youth system. Though he excelled with the club’s youth sides, he failed to break into the senior set-up and spent most of his career on loan spells. He played for several clubs in the country’s lower league before joining Swiss outfit Lausanne-Sport in the summer of 2016 initially on loan.
After making 73 appearances for Lausanne-Sport, he was signed by Luzern last summer and he immediately became a key member of the squad. He contributed with 13 goals and 12 assists in 43 games across all competitions last season and ended as the campaign as the club’s top scorer.
At the moment, Sean Dyche has a plethora of attacking talents available at his disposal. Chris Wood has been in sensational form since his arrival at Turf Moor in the summer of 2017. The New Zealand international has scored 10 or more goals in each league campaign with the Clarets.
Apart from Wood, they also have Ashley Barnes and Jay Rodriguez. Both of them racked up a handful of goals last season and have done well whenever they have been called into action. Matej Vydra is another option available in the centre-forward role. The Czech Republican hasn’t been at his best but should be given another chance.
Thus, with plenty of options available and most of them experienced, bringing in Margiotta would be unnecessary. The Italian hasn’t been a prolific striker and has managed to score more than 10 league goals only on one occasion. Nothing can be said of his consistency.
Signing him would also make them waste their resources as he could eventually end up on the bench due to the other big names in the squad. Thus, the Clarets should keep their eyes off the former Juventus man.
Burnley were brilliant under Dyche last season and bringing in a striker who hasn’t been at his consistent best could put them in trouble. Moreover, Margiotta has very little experience at the top level. Thus, signing the 27-year-old could prove to be a wrong decision by the Clarets.
