Burnley's Drissa Diallo is one of the central defenders being targeted as a summer signing by Joe Royle. But the Town boss will have to compete with old friend Stan Ternent for the Guinea international's signature.

Mauritania-born Diallo, 6'1” tall, made his Burnley debut against Town in January's 1-1 draw at Turf Moor. He was the player involved in the clash of heads which saw Pablo Couñago to leave the field in the first half and also cleared a Darren Bent effort off the line.

Diallo, who holds joint Guinea and French citizenship, initially signed a one-month deal with the Clarets after leaving KV Mechelen, where he had twice won the Belgian title.

The club had gone into financial meltdown and are likely to be demoted two divisions and lose their professional status in the summer.

The centre-half impressed in his first month at Turf Moor and had his spell extended to the end of the season. The 30-year-old is understood to be in Paris at present considering a new Burnley offer and is said to be aware of the Blues' interest in him.

Prior to joining KV Mechelen in 1998 he was with AS Brévannes and Sedan in France and Tilleur Luik in Belgium.

For Burnley this season he played 18 games and scored two goals, including one against Fulham in the FA Cup victory over the Premiership side. He has picked up two yellow cards since moving to the Lancashire club.

Joe Royle has already revealed that he intends to bring in two central defenders in the close season as well as a goalkeeper, and says he knows his targets: "I have already identified the players I want and I will make my move as and when I am given the go-ahead."

That go-ahead is likely to come once the club exits administration and after the Football League board meeting on June 4th which, all being well, will lift Town's transfer embargo.

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