Sean Dyche has decried the “crazy” transfer fees that he fears could leave Burnley unable compete in the Premier League in the longer-term as the manager faces up to a summer in which the club have been priced out of moves for a long list of transfer targets.

Burnley earned almost £120 million in television and prize money after finishing seventh in the Premier League last season, the so-called “best of the rest” given the increasing financial clout of the established top six. Their income and spending power dwarfs Scottish Premier League side, Aberdeen, who they face in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying-round tie at Turf Moor on Thursday night after a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie last week.

But Dyche believes Burnley’s experience in the transfer market this summer has reaffirmed how they are the “minnows of the Premier League” and fears there may come a time when the spending power of rivals leaves the club powerless to compete without compromising their existence.

“There are players I’ve rung up about that you would be in disbelief if I told you the numbers [involved] – you would be flummoxed,” Dyche said. “And then when you hear their wages you wouldn’t believe it. The numbers are just crazy, for any player. They’re through the roof. It’s certainly a seller’s market.