Robin Quaison has entered the final year of his contract with Mainz (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Burnley have Swedish international attacker Robin Quaison on their radar in the January transfer window as Sean Dyche looks to bolster his misfiring attack.
As per the report, the Clarets are on the lookout for fresh additions to their defence and midfield. Everton’s Fabian Delph and Nottingham Forest centre-back Joe Worrall have been mentioned among the potential targets but Mainz star Quaison is also under consideration at Turf Moor.
Quaison started his professional career with Swedish giants AIK, where he spent three seasons before moving to Italian outfit Palermo in 2014. The versatile forward eventually joined Mainz in January 2017 and has established himself a quality player in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, registering 30 goals and 11 assists in 116 appearances.
The 27-year-old’s productive spell at Mainz has also seen him establish himself as a key player for Sweden at the international level. The 21-cap star was instrumental in his nation’s successful Euro 2020 qualification campaign, scoring 5 goals in the process. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Meanwhile, Burnley have managed to breathe some life back into their floundering campaign after a dismal start. The Clarets found themselves languishing in the relegation zone after failing to win any of their seven opening league fixtures. However, impressive wins over Arsenal, Wolves and Sheffield United in December have pushed Sean Dyche’s side up to 16th in standings.
Despite that, the Lancashire outfit have several pressing concerns to sort out at both ends of the pitch in the January window. Burnley’s struggles in front of goal have been well-documented this season. In fact, the Clarets have managed just 9 goals in 15 league games so far, which is the second-worst scoring record in the division after West Brom.
With top-flight safety far from confirmed, Dyche needs to beef up his strike force heading into a hectic second half of the season. Putting things into perspective, Robin Quaison would be an inspired addition to Burnley’s attack. The Swedish international boasts considerable experience in Italy and Germany, thus potentially making him a marquee signing for the Clarets.
Burnley have some quality strikers in the form of Jay Rodriguez, Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes. But none of them has really stepped up to deliver the goods this season. Influential winger Dwight McNeil has also struggled to hit top gear after a couple of productive seasons at Turf Moor.
A potential deal for Quaison, to that end, would hand a significant boost to Burnley’s attack. The Mainz star is capable of operating anywhere in midfield – at No.10 or on either flank – while also possessing the necessary skill set to lead the line as a centre-forward. Given his versatility, the 27-year-old would be a real asset to Dyche’s ranks.
Burnley desperately need some spark during the mid-season trading period and Rob Quaison ticks plenty of boxes at Turf Moor. The Swede has impressed at Mainz in Germany and looks capable of making the step up to the Premier League. With his best years still potentially ahead of him at 27, the Clarets should definitely take a punt on the Bundesliga star this month.
More importantly, Quaison has entered the final six months of his contract with Mainz. That makes a cut-price deal for the attacker a real possibility in the January window.