TBR Football can exclusively confirm which club Marcus Edwards is now set to join after talks with the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and Everton.
Fulham are currently 10th in the Premier League table and will hope to push for a European finish, while 13th-placed Crystal Palace will hope to climb into mid-table.
Meanwhile, Everton are 16th in the table, seven points above the relegation zone, but will be optimistic of moving on up after winning their last two in a row.
All three have been looking for reinforcements in the January transfer window and Sporting CP’s Edwards has been in their sights.
However, all three teams – as well as a number of other Premier League sides – are set to lose the race to a Championship side.
Burnley set to win Marcus Edwards race
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Burnley are set to win the race for Marcus Edwards, beating a number of Premier League clubs to his signature.
We understand the Clarets have approached Sporting with a deal that includes an obligation that kicks-in if they are promoted to the Premier League worth around £10million including add-ons.
Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Ipswich Town and Leicester City are all understood to have talked about a prospective deal this month.
However, Championship promotion-chasers Burnley have made their move and are confident of landing the player and finalising a deal this weekend.
How Marcus Edwards has been backed for stardom
Edwards came through the ranks at Tottenham and, as a youngster, he was tipped for a huge future in the game.
Former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino likened Edwards to Lionel Messi and said he had the tools needed to become a superstar.
Paris Maghoma has also praised Edwards, telling ESPN: “It was just a known thing that Marcus is a mini Messi.
“He just plays like him, the same way Messi is like Maradona, Marcus is like Messi.
“I personally believe he could be one of the best players England has ever seen, and that’s me being honest.
“I get slated for this but I genuinely think he is the best player that I have ever seen.”
And back in 2022, Ruben Amorim – then manager of Sporting – told Sky Sports: “Marcus is a very talented player.
“He’s one of the best players for playing between the lines.
“He took a little while to adapt to the Portuguese lifestyle but he has so much talent. He can get much better.”
Amorim continued: “He can even get to the English national team.
“He has to focus more on training and all that is around it. Football is not just matches, it’s everything in between.
“I trust him a lot. I know he can grow a lot. He has a long way to go but I think we did excellent business in signing him.”
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