Marcus Edwards reveals why he joined Burnley over Sunderland as Speakman misses out on key target

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Sunderland have officially missed out on Marcus Edwards, and the winger has confirmed why he chose Burnley over the Black Cats.

Sunderland were previously linked with Sporting Lisbon forward Marcus Edwards in the recent week, with the Black Cats being in pole-position to sign the winger ahead of Burnley.

However, the Clarets managed to get ahead in the race for the former Tottenham Hotspur man’s signature, and his deal at Burnley has now been confirmed by the club.

After Kristjaan Speakman yet again missed out on a top target to a fellow Championship rival, the new Burnley man has revealed why he exactly opted against a move to Wearside.

• READ MORE: Sunderland target could attend Middlesbrough game as Wearside move edges closer

Former Sunderland target hails Burnley as ‘big club’ as he mentions Scott Parker link

The Black Cats have missed out on several attackers in the January transfer window, with Edwards being the latest to add to that growing list.

After signing for fellow promotion candidates Burnley, the forward spoke to their in-house media about why he chose a move to Lancashire, to which he said: “I know Scott [Parker] from my time at Spurs. I know what he’s like. He’s ambitious, he’s driven. We had a good relationship back then so when I knew he wanted me to come that was enough for me.

“From knowing what he’s like and how he is and the fact that Burnley is such a big club in general. It made sense.”

Edwards was in-and-around the Spurs academy set-up when Scott Parker was also at the North London Premier League outfit.

• READ MORE: Three players Kristjaan Speakman could target on deadline day as Sunderland transfer plan gets revealed

Regis Le Bris can utilise tactic that saw Marcus Edwards opt for Burnley

Looking at the reasons behind Edwards’ decision to sign for Burnley, it strikes similarities to how Sunderland managed to bring in Enzo Le Fee, and that was because of the link with Regis Le Bris.

The pair were both at FC Lorient in the highly successful 2022/23 season for the French side, and there is no doubt that Le Bris could utilise this to get another man through the doors of the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland are in need of attackers still, and Le Bris could very well turn towards a former player to fill this void.