Burnley set sights on Oumar Niasse amid Gray exit talk

Premier League minnows Burnley will seek to pursue the signature of Everton's Oumar Niasse, should they fail to keep hold of Andre Gray beyond the summer.

Gray, 25, has been reluctant to extend his Clarets contract beyond 2018 with manager Sean Dyche having recently made Sam Vokes his first-choice striker.

Vokes, who represents Wales at the international level, scored in each of his last five games for the Lancashire outfit, who finished 16th in the league standings.

According to The People, the Clarets are plotting a move for Niasse with Gray seemingly considering a fresh challenge away from Turf Moor.

Recently-promoted Newcastle United are among the leading candidates to recruit the former Brentford striker as they look to avoid another drop from the top flight.

Niasse provided four goals and an assist on a short-term loan with Hull City in the second half of the season, and this appears to have impressed Dyche, who will be looking for bargain buys to reinforce the squad once again.

Burnley managed to avoid the Premier League drop via an impressive home record (33 points out of the overall 41), and they will need to produce a much better performance away from home in order to maintain their top-flight status beyond next season.