Aftonbladet recently reported that top-placed Burnley are keen to sign Djurgården centre-back Hjalmar Ekdal. In an interview with Fotbollskanalen, the 24-year-old recently confirmed his interest from the English club and admitted it was a temptation.
– Of course it’s great. It’s flattering and a challenge that would have been damn good to take on. It’s probably not possible to get into a better phase in the middle of a season for a club. There’s probably harmony there, and it would have been damn good to go in and experience that, he added The football channel last Monday.
Burnley has been picked as the hottest track for Hjalmar Ekdal but now comes a possible turnaround.
The Sun reporter Alan Nixon says negotiations between the championship club and Djurgården have stalled over uncertainty over Ekdal’s chances of getting a UK work permit. Burnley could instead turn their gaze elsewhere, according to information.
When Fotbollskanalen catches up with Djurgården sporting director Bosse Andersson, he confirms that negotiations with the English club have broken down during the week.
– Yes, you can say that. The negotiations were more intense last week, Andersson tells Fotbollskanalen, without wanting to elaborate on why.
What happened?
– Yes, it is true that we have not reached an agreement. We are positive that we continue to hold discussions with Burnley about a transfer. I know well why (the negotiations) broke down.
For what reason?
– No, I have no reason to comment on it. We have had contact and discussions with Burnley and as I said last week was hotter than now.
Post Brexit, it is more difficult for foreign players to obtain a UK work permit, especially for players without a large number of international or European caps on their record. When Ekdal was questioned about the situation earlier this week, he said the following:
– I found out the other day and got a little stressed. But I think it should be calm. I assume it is double checked by the clubs before registering your interest. I think it has already been verified by the parties. I hope and believe he will be calm, Ekdal told Fotbollskanalen then.
According to Football Channel, there is also interest from Groningen, Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague and Lech Poznan for Ekdal. Bosse Andersson believes the 24-year-old could still be sold at the end of the January window, albeit not to Burnley.
– It is clear that there are other interested parties. Today is January 11 and regardless of Burnley or not, there are other interested parties and I expect there are more clubs that can be more concrete in the last few weeks (of the transfer window), says sporting director Dif.
