Jay Rodriguez keen for Burnley return but won’t ask to leave West Brom

The Clarets will need to pay in the region of £20m for Rodriguez and defender Craig Dawson

Jay Rodriguez is keen to return to the Premier League with former club Burnley if they can come to an agreement with relegated West Bromwich Albion.

The versatile forward has endured an injury-ravaged few years since leaving Turf Moor but Sean Dyche is willing to bet on his quality as he looks to consolidate the Clarets as a top-half club and add depth ahead of a Europa League campaign.

Burnley are in the market for a wide forward and have had informal contact with Liverpool over Danny Ings, but the feeling is that the competition for Ings’ signature will drive up the price beyond what they are willing to pay.

Rodriguez is reluctant to ask West Brom for an exit given how the club stuck by him during accusations of racist abuse aimed at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong this season, but the player hopes that an agreement can be found to allow him to return to the north-west.

It would be a popular move among Burnley’s support, who booed Bong in the wake of the incident, a reaction described as “unacceptable” by the FA and “shameful” by Brighton boss Chris Hughton.

One bid has already been rejected by Albion, who are holding out for more than the combined offer of around £20m for Rodriguez and defender Craig Dawson.

Dawson failed to report to the Baggies’ pre-season training camp in Portugal as a result of the club’s tough stance on selling him, feeling that he is being priced out of a move back to the top flight.

Rodriguez doesn’t plan to go on strike and is instead relying on the club’s to reach an amicable arrangement, a process expected to accelerate towards next week.

Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster is also desperate to leave West Brom and has Premier League suitors.