Burnley have been urged to sign a “technical” star who was once compared to an Arsenal legend, according to a new report.
Burnley continue promotion charge as Roberts signs new deal
Burnley fans were given some good news earlier this week when it was announced by the club that veteran defender Connor Roberts has signed a new two-year contract at Turf Moor, with the option of a further year.
The right-back, who joined the Clarets from Swansea City back in August 2021, has been an integral figure in defence for Scott Parker’s side this season, starting all but five of the club’s Sky Bet Championship fixtures.
Parker’s men, who remain in the race for automatic promotion after a stunning 4-0 win against Luton on Saturday, currently boast the best defensive record of any team in England’s top four flights, having conceded a goal less than once every three games on average.
After signing his new deal, Roberts, who will now remain at Burnley until 2027, said: “I’m really happy to be extending my stay with Burnley Football Club. It’s a special club with special fans and I’m looking forward to creating more great memories.
“This has been a brilliant season for our defence but the sole focus is on promotion to the Premier League.”
Prutton: Burnley the perfect landing spot for West Brom's Diangana
If Burnley were to gain promotion to the Premier League come the end of the season, they’ll no doubt want to add extra talent to their squad, particularly in the final third, with their defence already sound. And former Leeds United and Nottingham Forest star turned Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes that the Clarets should make a move for West Bromwich Albion forward Grady Diangana.
The DR Congo international is currently out of favour at the Hawthorns, spending most weeks starting on the bench, and is out of contract in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said that Turf Moor could be an ideal location for the former West Ham United player, who he still believes has the potential to cut it in the top flight.
“Grady Diangana on a free? Yes, I do think there will be clubs very much together in the hunt for him. I still think, for a player that is 26, there’s still plenty of top-level gas left in the tank.”
He added: “Whether that is a Burnley looking at a player such as that, who have a little penchant, don’t they, for wide players drifting in from those positions and finding themselves in a ’10’ where they can cause problems, and he’s definitely going to be on a lot of people’s lists to be the one that unlocks defences.”
Grady Diangana’s 24/25 Championship Stats
Appearances
26
Goals
4
Assists
2
Big Chances Created
4
Key Passes per Game
0.4
Stats per Sofascore, (Correct as of 08/03/25)
Diangana has previously been compared to Arsenal legend Santi Cazorla by his former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, who handed the 26-year-old his professional debut back in 2018.
“I have worked with so many young players, but when I arrived at Villarreal I was very impressed with Santi Cazorla. He was 19 years old and was not in the first squad, he was with the Under-21s and in that moment he maybe wasn’t considered a top player,” the Chilean said, according to The Mirror.
“But when I saw him play I think that he was, maybe not exactly the same as Diangana, but a technical player with a good view of the pitch and with a good solution when they receive the ball.”