OWEN Coyle was today expected to make striker Martin Paterson his first permanent signing - and in doing so he could break the club's long-standing £1million transfer record.

Burnley have agreed a £1m deal with Scunthorpe United for the Northern Ireland international, with a further £300,000 based on appearances, which would take the transfer above the fee paid for Robbie Blake in 2002 and Ian Moore in 2000.

A sell-on clause has also been included in the deal, with Scunthorpe to receive 20 per cent of any future profit made by Burnley on the Stoke-born front man.

Paterson, who handed in a transfer request after Burnley had two offers rejected, was due at Turf Moor this morning to discuss personal terms with Coyle.

With the 21-year-old attracting interest from other Championship clubs, following The Iron's relegation to League One, Clarets officials were reluctant to discuss the deal until Paterson had signed on the dotted line.

Boss Coyle would only go so far as to say: "We have agreed a fee with Scunthorpe for Martin, who was always a target of ours.

"Clearly any fee is now subject to discussing terms with Martin and his representative."

And he hopes that, should Paterson become his first permanent signing since taking charge in November last year, it will be the catalyst for adding even more to his depleted squad this week.

"I hope that's the case. You can never say for certain, but we're a bit further down the line with a couple," he said.