'Sam Vokes deal too good to turn down'

The Clarets offloaded the Wales international to Stoke City on transfer deadline day for a fee believed to be in the region of £7m.

Peter Crouch arrived at Turf Moor from the Potters on a free transfer on a deal until the end of the season.

And Dyche felt the fee the Clarets received for the 29-year-old Vokes, plus the opportunity for the striker to play regular football, meant that Burnley had to do business.

Asked if it was too good a deal to turn down, the Clarets chief said: “I think it was (deal just too good), we speak openly, there’s a business model here, we all know that, and sometimes it aligns to a situation where big decisions have to be made, and this was one.

“There’s a level where deals start, which is not acceptable, and there’s a level it gets to where you have to start factoring in.

“Me as manager, I do think I’m fair with the players, particularly with servants as good as Sam.

“And when it gets to a point, I’m open, and I said ‘listen, this is what’s going on, what are your thoughts?’

“He also needs a challenge, he feels the time is right. He hasn’t played as much recently, he’s looking at the future thinking ‘how much will I play? When will I play?’ So he has to factor that in as well.

“I’ve tried to be as open as I can with him, I had a good chat with him and he was proactive in his thoughts of going there and taking on the next challenge.”