Dyche has fended off the raiders

SEAN DYCHE is in profit in the transfer market – but the Burnley boss will go into the new season delighted that there have been no raids for the Clarets’ most-prized assets.

Burnley were bracing themselves for interest in teenage England Under-21 winger Dwight Mcneil.

And there was also a worry that Harry Maguire’s departure from Leicester would trigger a domino effect that would see Three Lions defender James Tarkowski targeted by rival clubs.

Keeper Tom Heaton has departed for Aston Villa – meaning Joe Hart could feature in Dyche’s plans.

Heaton’s £8million fee has more than covered the £6m investment to bring back striker Jay Rodriguez and full-back Erik Pieters.

And the word from Turf Moor is that Dyche would like to land a central midfielder before the transfer window closes this week.

Balanced

But he insists: “If nothing else happens, then I think we will be going into the new season with a balanced squad.

“If we can find quality at the right price then we will look to do it. The bottom line is that we aren’t market leaders when it comes to transfers.

“There are certain things we can try to push but no guarantees. That is the model of our club.”

Dyche has kept the Clarets punching above their weight in the Premier League for the last three seasons.

In that time, the club’s net spend has been under £70m – but still managed to deliver a seventh-placed finish in 2018 and European football.

Last term was something of a reality check, with Burnley finding themselves embroiled in a brief relegation scare before finishing a respectable 15th.

Burnley hope that Belgian international Steven Defour can keep himself fit to ease Dyche’s worries in central midfield. The 31-year-old is back in training after undergoing surgery to cure a calf problem.