By Turftalker
July 16 2004

Burnley are in talks with representatives of Ipswich Town player George Santos about a possible move to Turf Moor on a free transfer. Santos (33) has played in both central defence and central midfield and was famously involved in the "Battle of Bramall Lane" when the game was postponed due to too many sendings off!

News of the potential signing came after Joe Royle announced it to the Ipswich official website. Santos would be allowed to move on a free transfer, as he only has one year left on his existing contract and because Joe Royle wants to free up wages for new players - one possible recruit for him is Mark Rivers.

Santos had the chance to go to fellow Championship club Watford last season, but decided to fight for a place in the Ipswich team. It is possible that John McGreal may have recommended the player to Steve Cotterill, as he played with Santos at both Tranmere Rovers and Ipswich Town.

Ipswich fans do not seem particularly sad to see Santos go, should he decide on a move to the Clarets, indeed their descriptions of him are hardly positive. Yet under a new manager, Santos could just be the steely, experienced player the clarets need with his height being a strenght we have lacked.

We will have more news as we get it.

Editorial:

"With the Clarets squad painfully small, any signing must be greeted with a degree of enthusiasm. Steve Cotterill has shown himself to be a man of patience, sensible comments and a willingness to bring in quality over quantity, therefore we must trust him. There are obvious concerns over Santos' age, his very average repuation in the eye's of Ipswich fans and his place in an Ipswich defence that conceded almost as many goals as the Clarets last season. Yet there is no reason as to why, should he sign, he will not become the steely player Cotterill needs to drive on the Clarets in his first season in charge. We look forward to being pleasantly surprised."

-END-