Schalke 04, Fortuna Dusseldorf 'keen on Burnley's Darko Churlinov'

The 23-year-old has not featured for the Clarets in a competitive match in 2023-24 so far, with the winger only recently returning to full fitness following blood poisoning in the summer.

Churlinov has fallen down the pecking order under Vincent Kompany due to the arrivals of the likes of Luca Koleosho and Wilson Odobert, meaning he could be free for a move away in the New Year.

The former Stuttgart man remains a key part of his national side, featuring in Euro 2024 qualifiers for North Macedonia against Ukraine and Italy in October and November.

According to German outlet BILD, Schalke are keen on bringing Churlinov back to the club in the New Year, with the attacker spending the 2021-22 campaign on loan from Stuttgart.

However, the report claims that the Bundesliga 2 side must offload some of their first-team players in January to make room for reinforcements.

After finishing 17th in the Bundesliga last season, Schalke find themselves in the second tier of German football, and they are currently languishing in 14th position.

Due to the financial situation of Schalke, it is believed that a deal would be a temporary one until the end of the season, when the German club would have the option of a permanent purchase.

It is also understood that another Bundesliga 2 outfit are interested in securing the services of Churlinov in the January window, with Daniel Thioune's Fortuna Dusseldorf also admirers of the player.

Enduring their fourth-straight season in the second tier, Dusseldorf are looking to make a return to Germany's top table and are sitting three points behind second-placed St Pauli.

Churlinov was linked with a switch away from Turf Moor during the summer, after featuring in just seven Championship matches as Burnley cruised to the second-tier title in 2022-23.

The North Macedonian's last appearance for the Lancashire club was a start during the goalless draw against basement dwellers Reading on April 15.

Although Kompany may opt to rotate his XI in the third round of the FA Cup, Churlinov is very unlikely to feature when the Clarets travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday night.