HEARING that Burnley could only receive £206,000 in compensation for Danny Ings if he were to move abroad this summer, well...it just leaves you a little bit empty.

The striker, who has been linked to Real Sociedad, has chosen not to sign a new contract with Burnley at this moment in time, and the longer these ‘negotiations’ go on, the less inclined I am to think that he will.

I hope that if the Clarets achieve Premier League survival, with Danny playing a part in that, then a deal can be struck to stay at Turf Moor.

Perhaps that’s a romantic view rather than a realistic one, but we can all live in hope.

We know he is a sought-after player and if he was to go for such a small amount then that’s an absolute bargain for someone. Burnley Football Club will be the losers in that deal, and that’s a real shame.

It makes me wonder whether the board may now reconsider their stance of not selling during the January transfer window. If an offer of £3million-£4million comes in now then perhaps they have got to seriously consider it so that they don’t miss out financially.

But, then again, that could come at the cost of staying in the Premier League.

Either way it’s a massive gamble. But really, we need to keep him to strengthen our survival chances. If we can achieve that, and he STILL wants to leave, then he can maybe go with our reluctant blessing, and Burnley can use the windfall from a second Premier League season to replace him.

Like-for-like quality would cost a lot of money so it might be a case of unearthing another gem and helping him to develop.

It is all ifs and buts at this stage though.

What we know for certain is that a win against Crystal Palace this afternoon is crucial.