Scott Parker issues Burnley transfer update amid Morgan Whittaker, Ryan Manning links | OneFootball

Burnley are still looking to add quality to their squad as they gear up for a promotion push

Burnley manager Scott Parker has discussed his side’s current transfer movements with the January transfer window in full swing.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the Clarets’ Friday night clash with Sunderland in a couple of days, the Burnley manager kept his cards close to his chest amid links to both Plymouth Argyle’s Morgan Whittaker and Southampton’s Ryan Manning.

Already this window, Burnley have managed to tie up deals for right-back Oliver Sonne and the return of Ashley Barnes, but Parker was clear there is more business being discussed at Turf Moor.

Parker unwilling to be drawn on Morgan Whittaker

Despite reports suggesting that Burnley have already made a bid for Whittaker, Parker was unwilling to name him when discussing the deals the club is currently looking to progress.

He told the assembled journalists: “We’re progressing, but as always a January transfer window is very, very difficult.

“We want to try and be active if we can. There's obviously different factors that play into that, how [active] you can be and whether you can be for many, many reasons.

“I don't want to bring anyone in here who can't add anything, but we'll see what happens.”

Asked specifically about Whittaker, Parker said: “To be fair, it's never something that I will discuss. I think I've been consistent with that and I'll stick to that really.

“We'll be looking around and we'll see that regarding individual names, [but] it's not something that I want to comment on.”

While it’s interesting that Parker didn’t completely rule out the suggestion, it’s clear that he does not want to speak out of turn, potentially while negotiations are still ongoing.

Parker rules out move for Ryan Manning

Maintaining the theme of not being drawn on names, Parker did not discuss Manning specifically, but one of his answers appeared to rule out any potentially move for the left-back.

Asked whether that was a position Burnley were looking to strengthen in the window, the Clarets boss responded: “No, it’s not an area.”

Manning is a bit of a utility man — there are few positions on the pitch he hasn’t played during his career — but it must be assumed that he’d be signed predominately to play as a left-back, the position he’s spent most of his career in.

If Burnley aren’t looking to strengthen at left-back, then Manning — who would command a fee due to his contract running until 2027 — would seem an odd target.

Burnley must use this window to gear up for the fight

The Championship table is shaping up to be a tight affair with Leeds United, Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland all within a few points of each other, and all vying for the same two automatic promotion spots.

If the Clarets want to make sure they stand out from the crowd, then now is the ideal, and last, opportunity to bolster their ranks for the scrap.

They look in a comfortable spot right now to secure at least a play-off place but, as everyone knows, the play-offs are a lottery and there is no guarantee of success.

Although Argyle have been struggling this season, a player like Whittaker has shown what he can do previously, notching 19 goals and providing assists for another eight in 46 appearances last season.

Should Burnley land Whittaker and get him back into that form, surrounded by a stronger squad, then he could provide the edge the Clarets need to stand out from the pack.