Player reveals ‘there was an offer’ from Burnley – ‘No regrets’ over failed move to PL side
Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Jean Butez has told Gazet van Antwerpen about his failed move to Burnley in the last window.
The Clarets bolstered their goalkeeping position this season by signing James Trafford from Manchester City.
Prior to his arrival, Burnley looked at Butez after missing out on Bart Verbruggen to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Back in June, the 28-year-old had insisted he was “keen” to change clubs but a transfer never materialised in the end.
The Frenchman has now backed it up and also explained why staying at the Jupiler Pro League side has been good for him from both a personal and sporting point of view.
“I still have three years left on my contract at Antwerp, a club that continues to grow and can enter the Champions League. I feel good here. Moreover, my wife is seven months pregnant with our second child. That stability played a role in my future plans,” he said.
The stopper was then immediately asked if there was an opportunity to join the Premier League side. When responding to that, he revealed what went behind the scenes with Burnley, even though his move to Turf Moor never took shape.
“There was actually an offer [€4.5m] and my agent spoke to the sporting department of Burnley, where Kompany – according to the English management model – has some power,” Butez explained.
“But I was not the only option, as we saw afterwards with the appointment of Trafford. Oh well, I have no regrets, I know how football works. I spoke to Marc Overmars about it. We left it again for a season, next summer we’ll get the same song (laughs).”
Butez managed 27 clean sheets and conceded 42 goals from 52 matches last season, with Royal Antwerp winning their first league title after more than six decades.
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