Why Burnley should plot cut-price Adam Smith swoop in January
Back in August, a report from Football Insider (h/t Lancashire Live) claimed that Burnley had enquired about the availability of Bournemouth full-back Adam Smith during the summer transfer window.
The Cherries were understood to be open to the prospect of cashing in on the defender, with his contract set to expire in 2021. However, nothing came to fruition and Smith ended up staying put on the south coast, despite Bournemouth’s relegation back down to the Championship.
Profile
A product of Tottenham’s academy, Adam Smith only made a couple of competitive appearances for his boyhood club. He spent time on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, Torquay United, MK Dons, Bournemouth, Leeds United, Millwall and Derby County in the Football League before securing a permanent transfer to Bournemouth in January 2014.
Smith quickly established himself as a regular starter for the Cherries and was an integral part of the squad that secured promotion to the Premier League following a triumphant 2014-15 campaign in the Championship. The full-back was a regular fixture at the back for Bournemouth during the club’s 5-year stay in the top-flight, clocking up 5 goals and 10 assists in 144 PL appearances.
Despite former manager Eddie Howe stepping down from the helm of affairs following Bournemouth’s relegation at the end of last season, the 29-year-old has retained his status as a regular starter for the club in the Championship this term. Smith has started 13 out of the club’s 16 league games so far, with Jason Tindall’s side currently placed 2nd in the standings.
Smith would be a handy addition to the Clarets’ ranks
Burnley were among the lowest-spending clubs in the Premier League this past summer. While lack of finances in the post-pandemic market made it difficult for the Clarets to pursue their top targets, failing to get deals over the line for the affordable ones added to the club’s woes.
In the end, Burnley capped off an unproductive summer window with deals for low-key players like Dale Stephens and Will Norris.
Sean Dyche’s side have already been left to rue their lack of transfer activity, with the Clarets currently languishing in the relegation zone following a dismal start to the campaign. Burnley have only accumulated 6 points from their 10 opening fixtures in the PL this term, scoring just 5 while conceding 18 goals in the process.
Those numbers clearly epitomise the need for significant improvement at both ends of the pitch. With the January window less than four weeks away, Burnley need to weigh up their options carefully and reigniting interest in Adam Smith would make sense for a number of reasons.
The Clarets are currently crying out for reinforcements at right-back, with Phil Bardsley nearing the twilight of his career at 35 and out of contract next summer. Matthew Lowton (31) and Erik Pieters (32) are also out of contract at the end of the season, meaning Burnley need some quality replacements in both full-back departments.
A potential deal for Smith, to that end, would go a long way towards helping Burnley add more quality to their backline. The Bournemouth star ticks the box as a proven performer in the Premier League while his decent track record of goals and assists lies testament to his qualities at both ends of the pitch.
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Verdict
Smith’s contract at Bournemouth is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning the January window would be the last real opportunity for the Cherries to bag some sort of a fee by cashing in on the player. Burnley should try their luck with a cut-price swoop for the experienced full-back as he still has plenty to offer at 29.
