Fulham lead chase for defender Burn

10 April 2011 23:00
Dan Burn's move to the Premier League edged closer at the weekend when the highly-rated defender underwent a medical at Fulham, who have made an offer for the teenager.[LNB] Everton have also made a move for Burn, who was excused from Saturday's game with Bath City so that he could travel to London.[LNB] Fulham want to ensure there will be no complications should the deal go ahead, but they face competition for the 18-year-old as several top-flight clubs are monitoring the situation.[LNB] Newcastle United, Chelsea and Manchester City are understood to have made contact with Quakers about the Northumberland-born centre-back, while Stoke City have monitored his progress.[LNB] Newcastle aborted plans to watch Burn in action on Saturday when they discovered that he would miss the match.[LNB] Every Darlington game of late has been attended by a posse of scouts but there were very few at the Arena on Saturday, aside from a disappointed representative of Norwich City.[LNB] Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray is another to rate Burn, who has only made 19 first-team appearances, but finances are tight at the Riverside so a bid will not be forthcoming.[LNB] Although a figure has not been publicly disclosed, Quakers hope to set a Conference record, which currently stands at £260,000.[LNB] That was set when striker George Boyd signed for Peterborough United from Stevenage in 2007.[LNB] Aside from receiving a substantial amount, Darlington also want to include a number of clauses, based on appearances plus a sell-on clause, that would ratchet up the total sum.[LNB] Speaking after Saturday's 3-1 win, Quakers manager Mark Cooper said: "There are numerous clubs interested in Dan Burn but as far as I'm aware nothing has been signed.[LNB] "The transfer window is closed so nobody can sign for anybody until the end of the season.[LNB] "There's a lot of interest in him. He's been down to Fulham, who are very keen on him, and there are other clubs that are also very keen on him.[LNB] "There are loads of clubs after him, everybody wants him, and rightly so.[LNB] "Whoever gets him will do so at the end of the season.[LNB] "For me it's important that he goes to the right club, a club that will look after him and fulfil his potential. It's not a piece of meat that we're selling."[LNB] Although Burn cannot play for another club until next season, there is a chance Quakers could agree to sell him before the completion of the campaign.[LNB] However, they would agree not to include him in any further matches, aside from the FA Trophy final, as such a measure would reduce the risk of Burn sustaining an injury.[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo