Burnley’s interest in Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall has reportedly cooled.
The Premier League club are long-term admirers of the centre-back and have reportedly had bids for the academy product knocked back.
But according to The Athletic, any move for Worrall is on the backburner as manager Sean Dyche assesses his options.
The Clarets’ search for a defender would intensify if they cannot hold on to England international James Tarkowski.
However, it now looks like Tarkowski could stay at Turf Moor beyond the end of the transfer window.
The central defender is wanted by West Ham United and Leicester City, but both clubs have seen bids rejected for the player.
According to Lancs Live, neither club are prepared to meet Burnley’s valuation, understood to be at least £40m.
Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi has stressed his desire to keep Worrall.
“I will repeat, I want to keep the best players,” Lamouchi said recently.
“If you have huge goals, you need to keep the best players. And for me, Joe Worrall is one of the best defenders in this league.
“I want to keep him. Of course we need to reduce the squad. I want a squad of 22 or 23 players and three goalkeepers, not more.
“The club know that and they have started to work on that.
“But if I know my job and know my business, the players know the situation.
“We just need to all be professional, honest and do our job. We are working together and we need to respect each other.”
