Club will be competitive in transfer market - Baldwin

Chief executive Dave Baldwin says the Clarets will be competitive in the transfer market but warned that their spending won't jeopardise the future well-being of Burnley Football Club.
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf MoorCrystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor

The former Bradford City man, who arrived at Turf Moor in November 2014, refused to put a figure on manager Sean Dyche’s summer war chest despite the national media claiming that there is a sum of £60m at his disposal.

While Baldwin accepted that the obvious ambition was to build a squad capable of preserving the club’s Premier League status, he also stated that the directors will be looking to keep the club sustainable off the pitch.

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The likes of Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam, Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley, who is currently at the European Championships with Wales, and Aston Villa’s Ashley Westwood have all been linked with moves recently, though the latter is believed to be earning around £35,000-a-week at Villa Park.

Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf MoorCrystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor

“We will be competitive but we won’t put the club at risk in any way, shape or form,” said Baldwin.

“Wages are just as important. Your balance of managing your wage bill and transfer kitty, because of the longevity of committing to wages, beyond one season, that is the most important part, you want to go in the market and compete for players, but you need to protect the long-term interests of the club.

“It’s finding that balance, and that has to be constantly reviewed. You don’t put a marker in the sand, and say ‘that’s it, we won’t review that for 12 months or two years’, it’s week to week, month to month, year to year.

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“There are plenty of cases of clubs who have thrown everything at a situation to get to the promised land or stay there, and aren’t in business any more, or in the lower echelons of the league. so there’s plenty of warning tales.”

Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf MoorCrystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor
Crystal Palace midfielder Joe Ledley (right) has been linked with a summer move to Turf Moor

Baldwin added: “I sat with the chairman of Aston Villa at the Football League AGM, and the chairman of the Football League, and both said the reality of the model and way we construct the running of the football club is the envy of everybody.

“We strike the balance between being competitive on the pitch and sustainable off it, and that’s not an easy balance to find.”

Meanwhile, the club has confirmed a pre-season training trip to Évian-les-Bains in south eastern France, on the border with Switzerland, between Monday, July 11th and Saturday, July 16th.

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The Clarets spent pre-season at the same location last summer, and this year the six-day trip will culminate in a friendly game against Swiss side FC Stade Nyonnais on Friday, July 15th.

This will take place at the club’s 7,200-seater Stade de Colovray in Nyon, on the north western tip of Lake Geneva (kick off 7-30 p.m. local time).

The game becomes the fifth announced by the Clarets ahead of their return to the top flight with Morecambe, Bradford City, Bolton Wanderers and Rangers already arranged.