TWTD understands Burnley central defender Luke McNally is on the Blues’ list of potential recruits as manager Kieran McKenna looks to add to his squad as the transfer window moves into its final month.

A central defender has long looked one of the main areas where Town need an addition this summer with Richard Keogh having been released at the end of the season.

We understand McNally is among those under consideration by the Blues with others also on the list. Released Watford veteran Craig Cathcart and Arsenal’s US international Auston Trusty are also understood to be in Town's thoughts.

Former Irish U19 international McNally, 23, played youth football with local County Meath club Enfield Celtic, Drogheda United and St Patrick’s Athletic.

He returned to Drogheda on loan from Dublin side St Pat’s and it was for the United Park club that he made his first senior appearances.

Following his successful spell on loan, 6ft 4in tall McNally signed a two-year deal with St Pat’s in January 2020 and soon afterwards he was linked with the Blues.

A move to England eventually came in January 2021 when he joined Oxford United on a three-year deal.

After 33 starts and two sub appearances, scoring four times, one a dramatic last-gasp equaliser against Town at the Kassam Stadium, Burnley signed him from the U’s in June 2022 on a four-year deal for a fee understood to be around £2 million.

Having made only one start and three sub appearance, McNally was sent out on loan to Coventry in January and he played 22 games for the Sky Blues as they made the play-off final in which he played the whole 120 minutes.

Photo: Imago Images Sports

EssexBloo added 21:15 - Jul 28 Shortly before we signed Taylor I thing there was a story about us signing the lad from Derby? So, I take this to read that we are close to signing Trusty.
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algarvefan added 22:21 - Jul 28 EssexBloo ............. I like your thinking!!
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Positive_Vibes added 11:55 - Jul 29 If this is true, it sounds more like a loan than a permanent deal. I can’t see Burnley off loading someone they signed last season on a 4 year contract.
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blueboy1981 added 11:59 - Jul 29 Enough evidence in Pre-Season Friendlies that, at least, an Experienced (Mogga Type) CB definitely needed for the Championship onslaught ahead. Other than that the Squad looks as well prepared as possible. Make Defensive mistakes in the Championship - and the punishment won’t need waiting for … as we’ll all see. At this moment it could be the Achilles Heal, as well as chances up front not being taken. McKenna will certainly know that. Interesting Season ahead - and no predictions from me, other than much Hope for Success, and not struggle to stay out of that awful Division 3 (League 1).

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blueboy1981 added 14:50 - Jul 29 …,,. there’s a fair few established CB’s and good enough for Championship level out there, but they will cost, and competition for signings will increase at this late stage of the close season … !! Will we get caught out by leaving it late ??
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BobbyBell added 09:24 - Jul 30 The club have often said and shown that we know what we want and will only agree to deals that are good for us. There will be no scraping the barrel anymore. If the deals are not right then we won't sign the players and if the player is not 100% desperate to come here then he won't be signed. MA has said he expects two or three more signings to come in which to me says that we are close or very close to getting the deals that we want. I trust our club to get their men.

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