Burns: I'd Love to Stay
Wednesday, 6th May 2026 10:09

Out-of-contract Blues winger Wes Burns says he’d love to stay at Portman Road for next season’s return to the Premier League.

Burns, 31, is one of four players to have won three promotions with Kieran McKenna’s side, alongside Christian Walton, George Hirst and Leif Davis.

The Wales international’s terms with Town are up this summer but he says he would love to continue his time at the club, despite rumours that he may be set for a move to the US this summer.

“Who knows?” told the EADT when asked what his future holds. “It’s the question that everyone wants answers to. I myself have no idea.

“The club will do what it wants to do, whether that’s with me in its plans or me not in the plans. Who knows?

“I’d love to stay. The club’s got a massive place in my heart. There’s one goal that I’ve always had throughout my career. I’ve scored in the Conference, League Two, League One and the Championship, but I never got my goal in the Premier League.

“I’d love to be able to just tick that last little thing off because it’s a little bit of a gripe of mine. I’d love to be able to be given the chance to do so.”

Speaking about Burns’s situation last week, manager Kieran McKenna said he didn't know where things currently stand.

“Honestly, I don’t have a complete update on it,” he said. “And I’m not sure I can reveal anything too much.

“I think Wes has earned the right here over the last few seasons to be the first one to decide his future. I think there were some discussions in January with Wes about his future.

“And he knows how highly we think of him and how important we see him as part of the team and part of the club. I think every party needs to meet on what the right next step is.

“I think in that situation, probably the biggest deciding factor will be what Wes wants for his future and what he wants for his next few years.

“There were some conversations around that in January. I’ve certainly not been party to any conversations I’m sure have been had in the background.

“So that will be up to Wes to discuss with the club. He’s put himself in the history books of the club and I’m sure he wants to have another big day in it tomorrow.

“But I presume, there will be conversations and decisions made over the summer on that.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2

smithlarr added 10:23 - May 6 With his injury last year, he didn't get a fair shake at the Prem. At the very least he deserves the opportunity again, hopefully we can work something out.
21

LeightonBuzzardBlue added 10:27 - May 6 1-year extension, let him get his goal, be a leader in the dressing room, then "sell" him in Jan to someone in the States ready for their season
-5

CamposBarnet added 10:29 - May 6 If Wes and the club can agree a deal it's a no brainer for me. The issue is, someone out there will offer him likely a three year deal. Which Town understandably wont!
17

Bazza8564 added 10:34 - May 6

CamposBarnet, yes, which somebody actually did in January I believe.

Hes 32 in November, he has a young family and if he has chance to go to the MLS this early in the season, I believe the club will release him. I think thats what KM means by the first one to decide his future.

Sentiment will drive a lot of fans to say No, but i truly believe it's in Wes' best interests to leave and secure a longer deal and look after his young family.

He has been arguably the best buy ever for the fee (£60k), let him go with our blessing and let's move on

Bazza8564 added 10:34 - May 6

bringmeaKuqi added 10:36 - May 6 I think it's a no brainer for one more year. He absolutely still has something to offer and even in his spells this season looks sharp. What we need is counterattacking speed, and he offers that even if only off the bench.
7

Jugsy added 10:46 - May 6

Burns loves running at the defender relies on his pace to beat the man, he's just about got it for the Championship, I don't think he will have it in the Prem. Time comes to us all and his injury probably brings that forward.

I love the romantic notion of him staying and it's tough to say goodbye but I'm not convinced what he wants and what is right for the team aligns. An incredible servant but I think it's time.... sadly....

philpott2 added 10:48 - May 6

I'd like to keep him.
The right hand side functions so much better when he is on the pitch.
We've not got / found anything better despite the multi-millions spent on the right, although MacAteer has improved markedly towards the end of the campaign.
Hopefully Walle-Egelli can find his mojo during the summer and the right starts being as effective as the left hand side of the pitch.
An extra year to be offered, please, Mr Ashton.

jas0999 added 10:51 - May 6

I like Burns and would like to see him stay.

The problem, is we will need probably 10-12 new players of exceptional quality to just survive in the Pl. we know our recruitment last time wasn’t up to the level required.

Therefore, there will be no time for sentiment. Some players will have to move on, as the squad is already bloated, particularly with loans made permanent and loanees returning.

PortmanTerrorist added 10:57 - May 6

McKenna: “And he knows how highly we think of him and how important we see him as part of the team and part of the club. "

Burns: "I'd Love to Stay"

Given everyone (apparently) wants him here next season, the fact no one has truly grabbed his shirt, I would view it as negligent if we could not give Wes a fair deal. He is probably one of our lowest earners having come up through the Leagues, knows what it is like to have lived on League 1/2 money for a decade before our first promotion and as ruthless as the Club MUST be this Summer, he must be treated well. As a fan, I expect that from our Club.

darkhorse28 added 11:17 - May 6

Agh. The last of the legacy players who would run through a brick wall on fire for the badge. Him and Leif are the last strands to those times, and George too.

Times they are a changing.., fascinating summer is loading. I think back to the ‘team’ that Burley built, a band of brothers, who were so far above the sum of their parts. We moved ‘forwards’ when we had resources they’d yielded, and got relegated.

Last time in the prem. The same. Resources arrived. And we ripped up the group. Same outcome.

If I’m honest though. This group doesn’t achieve more than the sum of its parts and we need to add a lot. Or does it grow in itself more, and build that band of brothers team spirit you need to be successful.

Chris Kiwomya had a good season in the championship, then a GREAT season at a much higher level, it’s possible.., although today he’d need to morph in to Mbeppe perhaps to make the same leap.

Good luck to KM…, this is going to be fascinating. Lower quantity with much higher quality I hope is the aspiration.

A couple of real statement signings. Make the group want to puff their chests out to be alongside a couple of world class talents.

johnwarksshorts added 11:21 - May 6 Love to see him here again next season. Let him score penalty if we're 3 0 up
3

oldegold added 11:35 - May 6 I have always rated him and he has been a fine buy for the club but the appeal of Cardiff City could in the end could prove too strong with a 3 year contract too in the offing...
0

WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:48 - May 6 Im with Jas0009: it's a yes from me IF there is squad space. Either way, I think Wes is a wonderful guy and player.
4

bradforblues added 11:49 - May 6 Deffo should be offered one year contract with option of a further year. I'd encourage him to get his coaching badges done and start thinking about that route.
4

TomCruise added 11:52 - May 6 SIGN HIM UP
1

blues1 added 11:56 - May 6

Says he wants to stay, yet I've been told ( from info of a former player), that hes already agreed a deal with Minnesota. So not sure how genuinely he wants to stay, or not. Dont think he'd be playing much if he did stay tbh. Expect us to sign another winger in the summer which could put him down to 3rd or 4th choice. Couldn't see him being happy with that situation, when he could go to the MLS and play week in week out. Unfortunately, sentiment has to go oit of the door. Been a,great servant for sure, but also had a number of injuries in his time. And do fans not think we need better players all round, if we're gonna have any chance of staying up?

TheMover added 12:07 - May 6

How much would the club have to pay to replace him on a like for like basis? I would offer him a 1 year deal with a higher salary, based on performance related metrics, rather than having to shell out a fortune on someone that might take most of the season to settle in, Kasey. It could even be a 2 year deal, with a break after a year so that either party can agree to part ways.

billlm added 13:19 - May 6

If he wants to stay and play and we're open yes,
He has to protect his family so a 3 year deal is never going to happen,
Maybe give him his chance in the premiership in an open to both sides deal,
2 years on if we're relegated he can still do a very good job at championship level if we stay up it's reverted to a one year deal and he's still young enough to get himself a 2/3 year deal elsewhere, that's if town still want him now,

Broadbent23 added 13:31 - May 6 The secret for survival in the Prem has to be a good mix talent. Wes Burns can be part of that. The more players that KMc has to blend into the side the less effective we are. So a two year extension should work.
1

blueoutlook added 13:46 - May 6

Burns has been brilliant over the years. I just think next season we have to be so much more at it that there really isn’t room for him in the squad. We probably need 10-12 in anyway, all athletic,powerful, physical players who can cope with the Premier League. It’s a no from me Im afraid. Still don’t know what the hell we do with Akpom, he really isn’t what we need.

VitalSigns added 14:14 - May 6 Heart says yes. Head says no. It’s a pass from me. If he does move on then I wish him all the best.
3

bringmeaKuqi added 14:52 - May 6 The other point to make is that Ogbene is going to return. Sadly, I do think we need to move him on. So, if Egeli goes on loan and we don't sign Burns, that leaves only McAteer. We'd need to spend a lot to get a first choice right winger and probably still need a back up. For my money, Burns on one year as a back up makes a lot of sense
0

BlueBoots added 15:13 - May 6

Vacancy in the squad for our "senior pro" with the departure of Ashley Young; the advantage of that being Burns next season is that he's not that senior, and would still have a lot to offer on the pitch. Off the pitch, we have a player that has been on the full journey with us over the past 5 seasons, and his passion for playing for us would rub off on any new signings.

I think a lot of fans were disappointed that he didn't get a decent crack at the Prem (definitely looked like he could manage the step up prior to the injury) last time around, just as he was, so I'd be delighted for him to get a second chance.

StowTractor added 15:55 - May 6

Love Wes, a great servant to the club, with a great rapport with us fans. Scored some important goals and can still do a job in the Championship, when fit. But he is an EFL level player (or possibly a MSL level one) not PL level.
Club might offer a 1 year deal for old times sake but at 32, with a history of injuries in every season he has been here, cant see a 2 or 3 year deal.
Like so many the heart says yes, the head cant see it happening, very sadly.