Express & Star

Burnley look elsewhere after being put off by £20m asking price for Craig Dawson

Burnley have turned their attention elsewhere after being put off by Albion’s £20m asking price for Craig Dawson.

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Sean Dyche had earmarked the 28-year-old as his main defensive target this summer, but negotiations have stalled.

The Clarets are now focusing their attention on Swansea centre-back Alfie Mawson, and have opened talks with the South Wales side.

Dawson was keen on the move to Turf Moor, and has handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move.

He was also given a club fine after refusing to attend Darren Moore’s training camp in Portugal, and is yet to feature in a pre-season friendly for Albion this summer.

West Ham are also interested in Dawson, and had a £12m bid rejected at the start of the summer.

Burnley had a £25m double bid for Dawson and Jay Rodriguez rejected last month, but the Baggies want £20m for each of them.

It’s understood the Clarets would be willing to pay more for Rodriguez than Dawson, although they are also looking at other targets up front.

Rodriguez would welcome a move back to his home-town club this summer, especially after Dyche’s team qualified for the Europa League.

However, he has not been openly agitating for a move because he appreciates the way Albion stood by him during allegations of racist abuse last season and is also a fan of Darren Moore.

Rodriguez has completed two training camps with Albion this summer and bundled a goal in during Saturday’s 3-1 pre-season win over Swindon.

Meanwhile, an Albion academy striker has been selected in England’s under-16 team to face Croatia in a double-header.

Louie Barry, who scored 10 goals for England U15s in a tournament earlier this year, was selected alongside fellow academy star Rico Richards, although Richards pulled out with injury.

Albion’s under-21s have been drawn in a group with Accrington, Blackpool and Macclesfield in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And supporters flying up to Aberdeen this Friday for the Baggies' pre-season friendly at Pittodrie have been given the welcome news that a proposed strike by airport workers has been cancelled.