Burnley Want Stoke Midfielder Glenn Whelan to Replace Joey Barton in Bid to Strengthen Midfield

​Burnley want Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan to replace the departed Joey Barton. Clarets boss Sean Dyche is eager to strengthen his midfield and is reportedly

​Burnley want Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan to replace the departed Joey Barton.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche is eager to strengthen his midfield and is reportedly keen on a deal for Whelan, remaining hopeful that he can persuade his opposite number at Stoke Mark Hughes of selling the Republic of Ireland international.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 24: Glenn Whelan of the Republic of Ireland evades Aaron Ramsey of Wales during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Republic of Ireland and Wales at Aviva Stadium on March 24, 2017 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) :: Ian Walton/GettyImages

​The Sun claim Whelan is seen as the missing link by Dyche for his Burnley team as they look for a combative midfielder in the same mould as Joey Barton, who has left Turf Moor after receiving an 18-month ban from the Football Association after admitting a charge relating to gambling.

A deal could be made easier by the strong Irish presence already at Burnley, with Whelan's former Stoke teammate Jon Walters recently making the switch and joining Jeff Hendricks, Robbie Brady, Stephen Ward and Kevin Long. 

Burnley face competition from Championship side Aston Villa for Whelan but the Villans do not want to pay a transfer fee and the 33-year-old remains keen of playing in the Premier League.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 26: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur looks at Glenn Whelan of Stoke City during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City at White Hart Lane on February 26, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) :: Michael Regan/GettyImages

Burnley's transfer window has got off to a good start this summer with the signings of Leeds full-back Charlie Taylor and Stoke forward Walters, but they were set back in their effort to sign Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga as an £8m bid was rejected.

Sean Dyche's side have plenty of transfer funds available after the £25m sale of Michael Keane to Everton and could reinvest as they look to improve upon their finish of 16th last season.

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