Italian defender Donati top target for Burnley

BURNLEY are eyeing Mainz defender Giulio Donati.

So far, manager Sean Dyche has signed predominantly British-based players in his efforts to establish his side in the top flight, with Belgian midfielder Steven Defour a rare exception last summer.

But Dyche believes Burnley could benefit from expanding their range of targets with the Bundesliga of particular interest because of its relative similarity to English football.

Donati, 27, (left) has been a big hit in four seasons in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz. He played Champions League football in each of his three seasons with Leverkusen, before joining Mainz last summer.

SEVILLA joined Real Madrid at the top of La Liga yesterday after coming from a goal down to win their derby at Real Betis. Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli’s half-time substitutions sparked the turnaround, with substitute Vicente Iborra scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute, following Gabriel Mercado’s equaliser.

Betis had dominated the first half and took the lead when Riza Durmisi’s 36th-minute free-kick slipped through the Sevilla wall.