Burnley’s promotion sees Sunderland miss out on ‘very special’ target who could’ve changed course of season

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Sunderland were heavily linked with Burnley star in January as they searched for reinforcements in their push for Premier League promotion.

Burnley sealed Premier League promotion in style on Monday evening with their 2-1 win over Sheffield United.

Josh Brownhill, one of the Clarets’ key players this season, scored a brace to nullify Tom Cannon’s first Blades goal, to see Scott Parker’s side earn top flight status once again.

Chris Wilder’s side are now condemned to the Championship play-offs alongside Sunderland, with the remaining two spots in the top-six still up for grabs heading into the weekend’s round of fixtures.

Burnley were in dreamland after the victory at Turf Moor, but their renewed Premier League status spelled an unseen spanner in the recruitment works for Sunderland, regarding transfer news for a certain Clarets star.

• READ MORE: Sunderland loanee’s agent reveals next step for star after great season

Former Sunderland target Marcus Edwards will sign for Burnley permanently

Sunderland were heavily linked with 26-year-old Marcus Edwards throughout the January transfer window as Regis Le Bris’ side remained in the frame for automatic promotion.

The Black Cats added Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee to their ranks yet failed to land many transfer targets, including Blades striker Cannon and Edwards, with the latter choosing to join the Clarets over Sunderland because of his connections with Parker from their time at Spurs.

Former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood was a member of the club’s coaching staff when Edwards rose through the White Hart Lane ranks, and has hailed the tricky winger’s qualities that have spearheaded Burnley’s promotion push.

Sherwood told Sky Sports of Edwards: “It was a huge coup for them (Burnley) in the Championship. Scott [Parker] used to come and watch a lot of sessions and did some himself when I was at Spurs.

“He would have seen Marcus then and would have seen the talent that was there. I think he’s a very special talent.”

Right-winger Edwards has notched only two goal contributions in 13 outings for Parker’s side since his mid-season arrival from Sporting, but has turned the Clarets into far more of a potent attacking threat.

Edwards’ signing has seen Burnley’s goals scored, big chances and win percentage increase, playing a pivotal role in their Premier League promotion.

As per Sky Sports, the Clarets held an “obligation to buy for £8m” depending on whether Parker’s side achieved Premier League promotion this season, which means the England youth international will now become a Clarets player permanently.

Sunderland were understood to hope to target Edwards’ services once again this summer if Burnley failed in their promotion bid, and the Black Cats succeeded in theirs, but now have no chance of signing one of their previous top transfer targets who could’ve propelled them to automatic promotion.

• READ MORE: Chris Wilder slams Burnley security as tempers flare at Turf Moor

Marcus Edwards would’ve boosted Sunderland’s promotion push

Sunderland have been crying out for attacking strength in depth to compete with the Championship’s big-hitters this season, especially with creative spark Le Fee’s time on Wearside blighted by injuries.

Regular right-winger Patrick Roberts has featured in all but one of the Black Cats’ league games this campaign, notching two goals and seven assists in the process, becoming a pivotal component of Le Bris’ squad but has shown signs of fatigue.

However, Roberts has failed to find the net since his Bristol City equaliser back in early December, with Sunderland supporters lamenting his lack of goalscoring output all season when playing as one of Le Bris’ forward three.

Despite both the winger’s goal outputs being low this season, Edwards would’ve undoubtedly added quality and strength in depth to a Sunderland side which has struggled for goals and creativity since the turn of the year.

Wilson Isidor has suffered a goal drought, and Sunderland have for weeks “struggled” to create opportunities that has seen them earn just four points from the last 15 on offer. With the former Spurs youngster in the mix their potency in the final third would’ve certainly improved.

Edwards’ acquisition could’ve been the spark needed to cement their top-two aspirations, as he has done at Turf Moor, rather than the condemnation of play-offs which Sunderland have a torrid history in.