Exclusive: Burnley Target Swansea Star Žan Vipotnik in Bold Relegation Bid

Relegation-strugglers Burnley are stepping up a bold bid to land Swansea City striker Žan Vipotnik as Scott Parker desperately searches for goals to save the Clarets’ Premier League season, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Vipotnik has been the Championship’s most lethal marksmen this term, plundering 13 goals in 26 league games to put himself firmly on the radar of top-flight clubs.

But surprisingly the stuttering Swans are languishing 16th in the table and yet to make an impression the play-off battle.

With Burnley stuck in a relegation scrap themselves and struggling to find the net with any consistency, Parker has identified the on-song 23-year-old Slovenia international hitman as the man who could transform their fortunes in the second half of the campaign.

Sources close to Turf Moor say the former England midfielder is determined to get Vipotnik “into the building” and believes the Swansea ace has the pace, movement and composure to make an immediate impact at Premier League level.

Vipotnik, who started his career with Slovenian club Mairbor, only joined the Swans last season and is just a year into his contract at the Swansea.com stadium, but Burnley are confident they can test Swansea’s resolve with a serious bid if the window opens with the Clarets still mired in trouble.

STRIKING OPTIONS

The Lancashire outfit have been linked with a host of other striking options as they scour the market for firepower. 

Former Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has been touted as a potential loan target, while in-form Hull City hitman Oli McBurnie and Coventry’s Ellis Simms, who have both scored ten goals each in the league this season, are also believed to be under consideration.

Burnley have also reignited their interest in Norwich striker Josh Sargent, but sources suggest he favours a move to MLS to boost his chances of making the USA World Cup squad this summer.

But insiders insist Vipotnik sits right at the top of Parker’s wish list, with Burnley chiefs convinced he represents both a short-term solution to their goal drought and a long-term asset should the club manage to retain their Premier League status.

Swansea, however, are reluctant sellers. Head coach Vitor Matos is keen to build his side’s promotion push around Vipotnik’s ruthless finishing, with the 22-cap international striker already responsible for a significant chunk of the Swans’ league goals this season.

And the Portuguese boss has remained relaxed around growing speculation and interest in his star striker.

INTEREST

“It’s always a good sign when you have that [interest],” said Matos. “Let’s see what happens in the market.”

There is also growing belief in South Wales that Vipotnik could develop into one of the Championship’s elite forwards if he remains at the club, making Burnley’s interest both flattering and unwelcome.

Nevertheless, Burnley’s perilous league position means Parker is expected to be backed in the transfer market, with club bosses aware that failure to act could prove catastrophic.

Vipotnik’s future is now shaping up as one of the major talking points of the window, with Burnley ready to gamble on Swansea’s sharp-shooting star to try and fire their great escape.