On deadline day, Burnley signed Marcus Edwards from Sporting on a loan deal until the end of this season.
Sporting president Frederico Varandas has been speaking to Sporting TV and A Bola have relayed his comments. He talked about the Lions’ decision to let the 26-year-old join Burnley on loan in the last window.
Edwards lost his place at the Portuguese club even before Rui Borges took charge on Boxing Day. His game time was restricted, with multiple reports in Portugal about a disciplinary issue.
Prior to his loan move to Burnley, Sporting were reportedly keen to get rid of the 26-year-old permanently in the winter market due to his ‘disconnected attitude’.
The Championship side’s official statement makes no mention of an option or obligation to make the player’s stay permanent. On February 2nd, Record reported the Clarets will buy Edwards for €10m plus €1m bonuses if they secure a promotion to the Premier League.
Burnley are third in the table, trailing second placed Sheffield United by two points and four behind leaders Leeds United, with the latter two having a game in hand.
Varandas insists the attacker is still an ‘asset’ for the Portuguese club.
On Sporting’s decision to send the Englishman on loan to Burnley, he said: “It was a decision by Sporting’s management. He’s our asset, he’s talented and we believe in him.”
“Obviously, we have to be better to bring in the best Marcus Edwards and he has to be better to give his best. He’s our player and we believed it was best to loan him out.”
The attacker has scored two goals from four games for Burnley since his arrival.
