Burnley won’t regret spending big to pinch Derby’s Euro 2016 hit

Most Euro 2016 protagonists relied on a heavy contribution from a particular club. Winners Portugal were heavily influenced by Sporting Lisbon, with Rui Patricio, William Carvalho, Joao Mario and Adrien Silva key components, and alumni Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring six of their nine goals.

Italy meanwhile were built on the Juventus base of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli, Spain had six outfield starters with Barcelona in their blood and three of Belgium’s front four have played for Chelsea.

For Republic of Ireland, Derby were the unsung heroes, supplying three squad members, and it is no surprise that the most impressive of the trio, Jeff Hendrick, finds himself linked with a move to the Premier League.

Newcomers Burnley, who are 5/6 to succeed where they failed in their two previous seasons at that level and stay up, have already reportedly had a £3.5m bid knocked back and returned with a second offer, though it is believed that the Rams are going to hold out for a higher figure.

Who could blame them? The midfielder is no one-month wonder like Wales’ Hal Robson-Kanu – he was a huge presence in qualifying and has proven his quality for his club too, playing 30-plus Championship games in five consecutive campaigns, delivering seven goals and nine assists in 2014-15.

It isn’t just the 24-year-old’s talent that should convince Sean Dyche to pay whatever Derby are asking for. They have also got excellent value for money out of their last two iPro Stadium recruits.

Jason Shackell joined for around £1.1m in 2012, was an ever-present in the Clarets’ 2013-14 promotion season and in the top tier, before being sold back to the midlanders for £3m last year at the age of 31. They came up again with Michael Keane in his place, and the 23-year-old Manchester United academy graduate is now valued at around £15m and pursued by champions Leicester.

Before that, they signed Tyrone Mears off Nigel Pearson’s men for £500,000 in 2009, selling him on two years later to Bolton as part of a £3m package which included Chris Eagles as well.

So not only would Hendrick likely justify the £5m or so outlay that it threatens to take to get Derby to do business, history suggests that Burnley will end up making a profit on the deal in a few years time anyway.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.