Swindon, Charlton Athletic, Southend United, Exeter City Battle For Burnley Defender

Published: January 09, 2019

Swindon Town have been installed as the favorites to sign promising Nigerian defender Ali Koiki in the January transfer window ahead of other English Football League clubs.

Hitc.com says Charlton Athletic, Southend United and Exeter City have all shown an interest in the 19-year-old left-back, but Swindon are hoping to steal a march on their rivals.

Koiki is inching closer to making his first-team debut for the Clarets and was an unused substitute in Premier League matches against Arsenal and West Ham in December.

Manager Sean Dyche is willing to sanction a loan move which would help the defender get first-team experience ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Koiki trained with League Two club Grimsby Town in July 2018 with a view to a loan deal but The Mariners failed to agree terms with Burnley.

He penned his first professional contract with Burnley in April 2018, signing a one-year deal with the option of an additional season built in.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : burnleyfootballclub.com