Burnley Linked With African Continental Champions Star

Burnley are interested in African Football League champions Mamelodi Sundown’s star Brazilian forward Lucas Ribiero according to reports in South Africa.

The 26-year-old, who can play as a winger, striker or attacking midfielder, has scored 7 times in 16 games so far this season as Sundowns target their eighth straight title in the league and compete in the CAF Champions League.

Local Reports Link Clarets With Forward

According to reports from South African outlet Soccer Laduma, The Clarets have been named as a club interested in signing Ribiero alongside one of his former clubs in Belgian side SK Beveren. The Brazilian played for the club alongside Sporting Charleroi in the Pro League having previously played once for French side Valenciennes.

The Clarets are familiar with talent from the country, with current forward Lyle Foster initially playing for Mamelodi’s rivals in Orlando Pirates before moving to Europe in 2019. He has won one South African Premiership and the inaugural African Football League tournament whilst at the Pretoria club.

According to a source from Soccer Laduma, Burnley will face an uphill battle to secure the Brazilian, with Sundowns unwilling to let one of their top talents leave the club.

Burnley could see other forwards depart Turf Moor over the next transfer window, with Mike Tresor having been linked with multiple clubs over the summer, including French side Nice, but a move failed to materialise.

Writer’s View

Should these reports be believed, it could be an interesting and shrewd move for Burnley to make. Mike Tresor is very likely to leave Lancashire in the next eight months having largely been frozen out since arriving from Genk. Lucas Ribiero looks to be one of the best talents playing in African football at this time and has European experience in Belgium, as many of their current forwards do. English football is a different beast entirely and he may fail to adapt, but nevertheless it could be a cheaper market to delve into compared to many of the promotion rivals and who they are targeting over January.

 

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