Clarets may need to break the bank for striker

10:30am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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BURNLEY may have to smash their £1million transfer record if they are to land Scunthorpe United striker Martin Paterson.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed yesterday that the Clarets had made enquiries about the 21-year-old hitman, who netted 14 goals in his first season with the Iron after a move from Stoke, but had not tabled a £400,000 bid as had been reported elsewhere.

The Northern Ireland international will be high on the list of many Championship clubs after Scunthorpe's relegation to League One, but the club have indicated that it would take considerably more than £400,000 to prise him from Glanford Park.

Scunthorpe were forced to pay an initial fee of £275,000 at a tribunal for Paterson, and have paid out a further £60,000 based on appearances.

The Iron rejected an £850,000 offer from Norwich in January for the player, indicating that it could take close to £1m to buy him.

Acting chairman Rex Garton told local press in Scunthorpe that the Clarets have been in touch with chairman Steve Wharton to enquire about the player, but they would not sell him on the cheap.

Burnley have only ever broken the seven-figure barrier twice in their history.

The first time was in November 2000 when the Clarets signed Ian Moore from Stockport.

They hit the magic million again in January 2002 when Stan Ternent brought Robbie Blake in from Bradford.

Elsewhere, Clarets youngster Jay Rodriguez has admitted he's still on cloud nine after signing a two-year deal at Turf Moor.

Rodriguez, who spent much of last season on loan at Scottish First Division One side Stirling Albion, signed his deal at the same time as apprentices Alex MacDonald and Adam Kay.

And the 18-year-old said: "I'm really happy to have signed my new deal. It's like a dream come true.

"I really enjoyed my time in Scotland and it was a great experience for me which will hopefully help me progress at Burnley and become a better player.

"'Pre-season will soon come around and I'm really looking forward to getting it underway."

And boss Owen Coyle who has stowed much faith in Rodriguez was also happy with the teenager's decision.

He added: "I'm delighted to get Jay signed up on a new deal so he can continue his development.

"I feel he has a chance but ultimately it is up to him to come back in pre-season and prove that he can get in the first team."