Jimmy Dunne is keen to talk to clubs interested in his signature after a disappointing season at Burnley. Oddly enough the Turf Moor club have a contract on the table for Dunne to sign, but he is keeping his options open. Having triggered a one year extension on his current deal it does leave Dunne in a strong position. To an extent.

The other main consideration for Dunne is getting to a stage where he has the contract he wants and has the guarantee, albeit nobody is one hundred percent, that he can become a fixture in the first team eleven. Dunne has proved his desire with loans at Hearts, Sunderland and then Fleetwood. Sadly for Dunne the latter loan was cut short after falling out with then manager Joey Barton. Barton stated “He’s gone, he committed a severe breach of club discipline, that’s it “ Apparently there are two sides to this incident though.

Jimmy Dunne, a Dundalk born Irish International at under 21 level earned himself a £4,500 a week contract offer at Burnley two weeks ago, the big question is will the swans want to match that offer to add him to the defensive choices for the coming season ? He comes with no transfer fee, compensation to Burnley a possibility, he will want a signing on fee, and here’s the crux of the matter, his agent isn’t the stereotypical agent numerous people have in their minds. His agent is Frankie Evans, father of Jonny Evans, once Red Devil’s player - and those with some knowledge of the academy at Manchester United will know who he is. Dunne moved to United in 2007 having decided against a career in GAA in Ireland. He had already been at the United academy in Belfast so the transition was a natural one. Brian McClair managed to sell the dream and Dunne moved.

It didn’t work out for Dunne, but due to the contacts of his agent Evans, and ex United star Colin Murdock he signed a four year deal with the one year option in 2016. Internationally he can play for both the Republic and Northern Ireland and was nearly poached by the north, but he has since pledged his allegiance to the country of his birth. Burnley are now pushing Dunne to sign his extended deal, and we all know it could be withdrawn at any moment, so it seems this week is a big one for the 23 year old.

Preston North End are also interested in him but will know a move to Swansea is far more appealing, especially as the club are seen to be in contention again this coming season in the promotion mix up. With the protection and advice of Frankie Evans - Dunne has an experienced person talking in his ear, and for that reason should Dunne choose to leave Burnley he could see the swans as the perfect choice.

Looking at his game time, it has been infrequent, three first team appearances, but in September last year he did earn plaudits keeping Jamie Vardy fairly quiet in a premier league game. And he also bagged a goal too. It’s definitely a career crossroads for Jimmy Dunne, he does look a very decent and committed young man, he surely can’t be anything other than a decent solution to the missing Marc Guehi this coming season.

Time will tell, but to avoid becoming a journeyman Dunne needs to commit himself to a club, and most importantly feel wanted that the club he chooses want him too.

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Photographs licensed from Reuters

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