BURNLEY could move for Aston Villa right back Matt Lowton this summer as a replacement for Kieran Trippier.

Trippier is expected to depart Turf Moor with Tottenham Hotspur currently reported to be leading the chase ahead of the likes of Southampton and Liverpool.

Aston Villa are also interested, with manager Tim Sherwood understood to have made Trippier his number one target at right back.

The FA Cup runners up are realistic that they may yet miss out on Trippier, who has a £3.5m release clause in his contract with the Clarets, but there could be movement in the opposite direction with Lowton surplus to requirements at Villa Park.

Sources in the West Midlands suggest that Burnley have enquired about Lowton as they look at potential replacements for Trippier if the ex-Manchester City defender departs.

Any move would not be dependent on Trippier choosing Villa over Tottenham or other interested parties, because Lowton is already third choice right back and can move on if another club meets an asking price of just over £1m.

Three years ago Villa paid Sheffield United around £3m to sign Lowton, who is an attacking full back in a similar mould to Trippier.

The 26-year-old was one of Paul Lambert’s first signings as Villa boss and featured regularly in his first season at the club, but later lost his place and played only 13 times during the 2014/15 campaign.

Middlesbrough, Norwich City and Derby County have also been linked with a move, although Lowton is likely to have to take a significant wage cut.

Villa have Leandro Bacuna and Alan Hutton as their other right back options, although Hutton could also depart if Sherwood succeeds in landing Trippier or another player in that position.

Sherwood is on the verge of signing free agent Micah Richards, although he wants the former England international to play at centre back.

Lowton was previously one of the most highly rated young full backs in the country, scoring against Burnley in a 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane shortly after breaking into the Sheffield United first team in 2010.

The Clarets’ retained list was confirmed this week, with Burnley set to offer Michael Duff a new deal at the end of his current contract.

Burnley have also offered new contracts to Australian goalkeeper Danijel Nizic, Northern Ireland under 21 international defender Luke Conlan and promising striker Jason Gilchrist.

Extended deals have been handed to scholars Ntumba Massanka, Bradley Jackson, Christian Hill and Brandon Wilson, while new contracts have been offered to Nathan Lowe, Conor Mitchell and Alex Whitmore.

As previously announced, Ross Wallace and Cameron Howieson have been released, while Steven Reid also departs after deciding to retire.