BURNLEY have been linked with an audacious swoop for Bristol City striker Ade Akinbiyi - even if its costs the Turf Moor men £2 million.

The Clarets have been touted as shock bidders for Akinbiyi who scored 23 goals last season as City were relegated from Division One.

The 24-year-old striker was the one shining light in City's disastrous season as he made an immediate impact at Ashton Gate following a £2 million move from Gillingham 12 months ago.

And the Bristol club are stressing that they don't need to sell their prized asset - who has an impressive career strike-rate of one goal per three League games - with the City board having just pumped £1.5 million into the coffers to resist the need to cash in.

With three years left on a a four-year contract, they hope that Akinbiyi will stay to spearhead an immediate return to Division One. However, money still talks and much would depend on whether the player is prepared to drop down a level - even though he said before the end of the season that he was ready to stay on and help City bounce straight back up.

Playing Second Division football could count against Burnley's chances of landing the player, even if manager Stan Ternent confirmed an interest and had the cash to make such a move.

At £2 million Akinbiyi, who could even be valued at more than that after City chairman Scott Davidson claimed in mid-season he was worth twice the price, would be out of Burnley's price range.

And so while Ternent may be on the look-out for a striker to supplement Andy Payton and Andy Cooke - who previously interested Bristol City when John Ward was in charge - his sights will be set elsewhere.

The Clarets were also again linked in the national press yesterday with a move for Crewe Alexandra defender Chris Lighfoot.

The central defender is also reported to be attracting the attention of the Clarets Second Division rivals Preston and Bury, after turning down a new deal at Gresty Road.

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