Chelsea may pay part of Danny Drinkwater's wages to force summer exit as Burnley join race

Burnley are close to finalising an agreement to take Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater on loan for the 2019-20 season.

He has started just five League games since joining from Leicester for £35million in 2017 and been left out of the club’s last two pre-season friendlies.

The England international would, however, help the club fulfil the quota for homegrown players in the Premier League and Champions League squads should he remain.

Drinkwater last week looked certain to stay for another season last week because it was understood no concrete offers had been made.

Brighton and Norwich made an enquiry over the weekend, although it is understood negotiations with the former were the more serious of the two.

Now Burnley have joined the hunt, although Drinkwater’s wages of £100,000-a-week could prove a stumbling block.

Chelsea might have to consider paying a proportion of his salary in order for any move to take place.