BURNLEY are bracing themselves for increased interest in key players, after Andre Bikey and Chris Eagles were linked with moves away.

Although reports suggesting Everton have renewed their pursuit of Eagles are thought to be nothing more than an extension of January transfer window speculation, there is more weight behind Portsmouth’s interest in defender Bikey.

The Cameroon international was on Steve Cotterill’s wanted list in the New Year, and the former Burnley boss has continued to monitor the 26-year-old’s situation.

Bikey, who like Eagles, right, will enter the final year of his contract when the players report back on June 30, was left out of the line-up after Brian Laws was sacked in late December and had to wait until mid-March for his chance under new manager Eddie Howe.

He was an ever-present for the remainder of the season, forming partnerships with Clarke Carlisle, Everton loanee Shane Duffy, Michael Duff and Canadian David Edgar on the final day.

Burnley were understood to have spent £2.8million on signing Bikey from Reading after earning promotion to the Premier League in 2009.

The Clarets would be looking for a decent return on that investment, and a figure of £2m has been mooted but although Cotterill is expected to be backed by new Portsmouth owner Roman Dubov, who he met for the first time on Monday, such a price tag is likely to be deemed excessive, particularly for a player who, as things stand, would be available on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.

However, with Portsmouth also declaring an interest in Clarets and Derby target Jason Shackell, Bikey may among a number of defensive targets for the south coast club.

Fifteen-goal joint top scorer Eagles, meanwhile, continues to gather admirers for his eyecatching performances both out wide and off the front.

But at this stage it seems his latest links with a move to Goodison stem from old news.

The new season will be the last of the former Manchester United wide man’s current deal.

The 24-year-old, who arrived from Old Trafford in the summer of 2008, signed new terms under Laws almost three weeks into last season but at the moment it looks unlikely that a third Turf Moor deal will be agreed.

I understand the Clarets have not yet received firm bids for any of their players. But they cannot rule offers out as the new campaign draws closer.