According to the Northampton Chronicle, League One outfit Leyton Orient are reportedly interested in signing Burnley striker Dara Costelloe.
The Premier League outfit are set to send the 22-year-old off on yet another loan spell, with a few League One sides interested.
Orient are the side who are believed to be leading the race for his signature, with the club under new ownership.
Costelloe’s Successful Northampton Loan Spell
Despite spending the first half of the season on loan at League Two outfit Accrington Stanley, it was in a league above where Costelloe really found form, scoring six goals in 15 appearances for Northampton Town.
The Irishman scored five goals in 21 games in the fourth tier, but was recalled on deadline day by Burnley and subsequently send to Sixfields, where he spent the second half of the season.
Cobblers manager Kevin Nolan has made it clear he’d like to bring the 22-year-old back to the club; however, that is looking more and more unlikely as the window goes on.
The striker has also experienced loan spells at Bradford City and Scottish outfits St. Johnstone and Dundee FC, making a combined 40 appearances.
He joined Burnley from Irish side Galway United for an undisclosed fee in 2021. His current contract with the Clarets runs out next summer.
Leyton Orient in Need of a Rebuild
After last season’s play-off final heartbreak at the hands of Charlton Athletic, Richie Wellens and his side will be looking to replicate and emulate last season’s success this season, but with crucial players departing, recruits will be needed.
Loanees Jack Currie, Jamie Donley, Josh Keeley and League One golden boot winner Charlie Kelman have all returned to their parent clubs, respectively, leaving the O’s short in multiple areas.
On top of this, eight other players have departed Brisbane Road, leaving just 14 players under contract, with negotiations ongoing with six further players.
Not only do the club need to replace the four loanees who played such a crucial part in their season, they also need to bulk up the main body of their squad, but there’s no doubt the new American takeover has brought bigger budgets in terms of both transfer fees and wages.
Despite potentially bigger budgets, the O’s are yet to make a signing, and are fighting to keep midfielder Ethan Galbraith, who is receiving interest from both League One sides and Championship sides, with the likes of Huddersfield Town, Charlton Athletic, Swansea City and Sheffield United reportedly interested in his services.
Writer’s View
Although Castelloe had two successful loan spells last season, he’ll certainly have big boots to fill at Brisbane Road, with Kelman winning the League One golden boot last season. Wellens got the best out of Kelman, and he’ll be thinking he can get the best out of Costelloe if the 22-year-old were to move to Brisbane Road amid other interest.
Whilst the Irishman might not have a future at Burnley, with his contract running out next summer, gaining yet more first-team experience in the third tier would be beneficial for all parties involved.
