Vincent Kompany
The deal for the 20-year-old from Aston Villa is expected to be completed imminently and Kompany is excited by his potential, having seen him during loan spells last season at Norwich and Middlesbrough.
Vincent Kompany said: “The latest I’ve heard is that we’re close. He’s not our player yet but I hope he will be soon. Those who have followed the Championship and know a bit about the up-and-coming talents in English football (know his potential). He will be an England international for me, it’s just a matter of time.”
Ramsey would make it 11 summer signings for Kompany as he prepares for his first campaign as a Premier League manager. Norway midfielder Sander Berge was the latest to arrive on Wednesday after moving from fellow newly-promoted side Sheffield United.
Vincent Kompany said: “Sander Berge is a player with Premier League experience, which is important for us. We don’t have a lot at the moment. He’s a player with size, technically good, able to receive the ball either in the first phase or in between the lines a little bit higher up. And a player who we hope we can bring to his full potential.”
Burnley fans will have to wait longer to see if last season’s loan stars Ian Maatsen and Nathan Tella will be returning to Turf Moor,
Vincent Kompany said: saying: “I have to respect that the decision is not ours even if they’re very good players that we like.”
He will not be pursuing a deal, though, for former Everton winger Andros Townsend, who has been training with the club following his release by the Toffees.
Vincent Kompany said: “He’s been brilliant, he’s been fit, working hard, but, in terms of what we already had in the building and the players we also wanted to bring in, it didn’t make sense for us to complete. My advice to any manager that’s still looking for a winger is to approach him.”
The fixture computer threw up an immediate reunion for Kompany with his old team Manchester City, who will make the short trip to Turf Moor on Friday. If there is a good time to play the three-time defending champions, this could potentially be it given Burnley were in pre-season before City completed their treble by winning the Champions League.
Vincent Kompany said: “I’m sure after winning the treble he’s all right starting the season slightly behind. It’s probably the best challenge you could ever ask for. I want the team to embrace this game and hopefully the fans can do the same.”
Kompany remains close to many people at City, including Pep Guardiola,
Vincent Kompany said: “There’s been an awkward month where there was just congratulations flying back and forth between a lot of people. They are people that I’ve worked with and lived with for many years in my life. The contact will always be there. Now for a minute we have to put everything behind us and just go toe to toe, and we’ll try and do the best we can.”
