BURNLEY are weighing up a big-money bid for John Aloisi after being quoted an asking price for the Coventry City striker.
The Sky Blues are evidently willing to sell the 25-year-old front man for the right figure.
And the Clarets must now decide whether they can afford to firm up their interest in the Australian international with what would certainly be a new club transfer record.
Turf Moor chairman Barry Kilby confirmed: "Coventry have come back to us with what they see as a final acceptance price. The ball's in our court and basically I need to think about it.
"It's not just this one. We have several enquiries on the go at the moment, it's just that this one has become public.
"It's up to us accept it and move further -- and we still have to negotiate with the player himself -- or say thanks but no thanks.
"I'll have another chat with Stan about where he fits into our overall spending plans. It's up to us go further or drop out of the race."
Coventry are likely to want something around double the £650,000 they paid Portsmouth for Aloisi in December, 1998.
And while Burnley could meet the asking price it's a question of whether they are willing to commit a sizeable chunk of their transfer budget on one player when manager Stan Ternent is keen to strengthen his squad in several areas.
"It's not out of the question. It's in our ball park," added Kilby.
Burnley will get the go-ahead to open talks with Aloisi if they match Coventry's valuation and any deal would then depend on the player's willingness to move to Turf Moor and the Clarets' ability to meet his wage demands.
Meanwhile, the onus will be on Burnley's current strikeforce to hit the target against Crystal Palace when Ternent's side look for back-to-back home wins tomorrow.
Current record buy Ian Moore will again lead the line with Andy Payton set for a re-call if the manager employs a second out-and-out striker following last weekend's 4-2 defeat at Crewe.
"I thought they played very well and passed the ball well but it was one of those days, unfortunately.
"We had chances to win three or four matches but you have to put them in the net.
"I intend to continue with the attacking policy and going for it. That's what we're going to do.
"We'll be exciting. Whether we win or lose I can't guarantee but we'll be exciting," said Ternent.
Palace will replace suspended goalkeeper Alex Kolinko with Matthew Gregg, although Hayden Mullins is back after suspension. Neil Ruddock is left out after being transfer-listed in mid-week.
Burnley from: Michopoulos, Weller, Branch, Cox, Davis, Little, Ball, Cook, Smith, Moore, Mullin, Payton, Armstrong, Johnrose, Mellon, Maylett, Shandran, West, Brass, Crichton.
Crystal Palace from: Gregg, Mullins, Austin, Smith, Harrison, Black, Pollock, Rodger, Rubins, Forssell, Morrison, Freedman, Frampton, Carlisle, Thompson, Kabba.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article