Maxwel Cornet will be available for just £17.5m this summer if Burnley are relegated from the Premier League due to a release clause in his contract.
The 25-year-old has been a huge success for the Clarets since joining the club last August in a club-record move of £15m, with the winger putting pen to paper on a four-year deal.
However, Burnley could now be forced to sell him for little more than they bought him for if they fail to get over the drop.
the athletic Cornet is reported to have a £17.5m release clause in his contract that will kick in if Burnley leaves the Premier League, which has put a number of potential suitors on red alert.
The Turf Moor hierarchy are desperate to keep him, given that the Ivory Coast international is their top scorer this season with eight goals in 24 Premier League appearances.
Mike Jackson’s side need just four points from their remaining two games to remain in the England top flight but face a battle with Everton and Leeds to remain in the division.
Burnley slipped back into the relegation zone on Sunday when they were beaten by Tottenham 1-0 in north London, with Harry Kane scoring a late first-half penalty after an Ashley Barnes handball.
Hours later, Leeds managed to salvage a point against Brighton, with their 1-1 draw taking them out of the bottom three.
Burnley have one game in hand at Leeds and a superior goal difference, meaning a draw and a win would be enough to secure them Premier League football for another season.
The Athletic also report that relegation would mean ‘significant financial repercussions’ for the Clarets, requiring them to repay a ‘significant part’ of the £65m loan ALK Capital took out to buy the club if they fall out of the Championship.
“He was man of the match as well. There can’t be many players who have played 18 minutes and won man of the match. The changes really helped us pick the game up and, all joking aside, big Stretch (Maley) going on actually picked the crowd up and I think that translated onto the park. And the four substitutions helped that, obviously.”
It was a fairy tale end for Maley, who will retire from playing after making his first and final appearance for Livingston. “I’m delighted, I never thought the day would come, so thanks to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity and it’s a great way to end it. I can only say thanks to all the players and Davie especially,” he said.
