Medical schedule: 22-year-old Arsenal player on the verge of leaving, medical scheduled at another club
Northern Ireland central star defender Daniel Ballard is all set to join Championship outfit Burnley from Arsenal.
The Athletic report that the 22-year-old already has a medical scheduled at Turf Moor with a deal close to being done.
The Clarets are in advanced talks to sign the man who is a full international but is yet to make a competitive appearance for Arsenal.
Legendary central defender Vincent Kompany is now in the Burnley hotseat and has apparently been influential in Ballard’s decision to move.
Ballard to swap Arsenal for Burnley
Ballard could yet return to London one day, with Arsenal clearly keen to have a chance of bring the talented defender back at some point.
They apparently intend to insert a clause into the deal which would grant them the opportunity to match future bids from prospective buyers.
That is not quite a buyback clause but it certainly keeps Arsenal in the mix as Ballard’s time with Burnley progresses.
He could well become a Premier League standard player and the Gunners do need central defenders who are commanding.
Ballard spent last season on loan at Millwall, whose manager Gary Rowett had already confirmed this summer his club wanted to buy the defender.
Before that, he was at Blackpool on a temporary basis when they were in League 1 and Ballard was branded as ‘outstanding’ by Tangerines boss Neil Critchley.
It had already been reported that Arsenal are willing to sell Ballard this summer, and now he looks set for the next step in his career at the recently-relegated club as they look to make an instant return to the big time.
