BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe is close to bolstering his strike force with a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sam Vokes nearing completion.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the Clarets yesterday agreed all but a few remaining minor details of a deal with Wolves for the 22-year-old, thought to be worth in the region of £500,000.

Vokes has long been a Burnley target after a loan spell at Turf Moor last season and wants to join the Clarets to link up once more with his former Bournemouth colleague Howe – despite interest from Millwall as well as enquiries from other clubs.

He is expected to receive permission from Wolves to undergo a medical with the Clarets, with personal terms set to be finalised swiftly.

Burnley had previously been waiting for news on the future of their former striker Steven Fletcher before making their move, with the Clarets set to receive a sell-on fee from Wolves once the Scot leaves Molineux – as has been expected for most of the summer.

But they have opted to make their move before Fletcher’s Wolves exit, keen to bolster their strike force in good time for the new season.The Clarets are due 15 per cent of the profit Wolves make on Fletcher, having sold the former Hibernian man for £7m following relegation from the Premier League two years ago.

Sunderland made their long-anticipated move at the weekend with a £10m bid, which would entitle Burnley to £450,000.

The situation could still take some time to be resolved with Wolves yet to accept Sunderland’s offer.

Burnley will feel confident they will receive that sell-on fee, however, and further interest from Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke means that figure may yet rise.

The Clarets had earmarked the cash for a new striker following the sale of Jay Rodriguez to Southampton.

They already have Charlie Austin, Danny Ings and Martin Paterson competing for places, but Howe had been monitoring Vokes’ availability all summer after the Welsh international impressed him during a loan spell with the club midway through last season.

And the Vokes transfer moved closer last week when new Wolves boss Stale Solbakken confirmed that he would allow the striker to leave, following discussions with the player.

The Burnley squad are now at their pre-season training camp in the south west of England and return to action tonight when they take on Blue Square Bet South side Bath City in a friendly at Twerton Park at 7.30pm.