BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has been assured he has money to spend in the January transfer window, and is looking to use it on permanent signings to boost his squad.

The Clarets chief has identified targets for the new year, and will be looking to act on them as quickly as possible.

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The club was criticised last season in the Premier League for failing to strengthen in January, while in their promotion campaign Ashley Barnes was their only mid-season signing.

Dyche stressed the club was now in the strongest financial position he had known in over three years as manager.

But with the unpredictable and often volatile nature of the transfer window, he accepts that he might have to exercise patience with the selling club before any moves can be made.

“I make it clear to everyone, there is money available. It’s not a bottomless pit - wages are still a challenge, when you talk about your real big market players that is, so we still have to careful with that one,” he said.

“But we’ve moved a long way in two years financially, and what we can do has moved a long way. Even with the training ground, changes at the ground and all that, we still have a pot available, and if the right players comes along, we will activate.

“There are certain situations we are already on with, but that depends on the other club rather than us.

“The thing that has changed in the market, in my experience, is that ‘straightforward’ deals aren’t straightforward. Some clubs are acting like agents, and if we go in for a player, they let other clubs know we’re in for them.

“They often phone three other clubs or tell the press, so it’s become hard on that point.

“January starts, you do your business appropriately, you speak to the club, the agent, the player, and when you think a deal is coming, a week goes by, two, and you’re saying ‘are we going to do this or not?’, and really they are playing the game.

“That’s some clubs, and agents do that, depending on whether you are their number one choice. If you are, no dramas. If there are three or four, of they promote those choices - and most clubs spin plates and delay situations - it’s very complex, way more than people think, unless you have the magic fat chequebook.

“It’s so frustrating, we try and do our business one minute after midnight on January 1st, but it’s very rare that actually happens. Barnesy was a rare one where all parties agreed to the original deal.

“It’s a tougher market, and usually the winner is money.”

But, with Burnley well placed in the promotion pack going into the Boxing Day game at fellow challengers Hull City, Dyche remains optimistic about adding new faces.

“Ideally they will be permanent (signings),” he said.

“I think we’re in a position to do that, which is good for the bigger picture of the club, and the immediacy as well, which is a given.

“I think then, unless you get a situation where there are a lot of injuries, there’s an attachment to the club with permanent signings, that extra little bit to attach yourself to a team and give everything for that team.

“I just think it adds to it. It’s not a given, I went on loan as a player and gave everything - some players do that, some find it weird and don’t. It’s one of those things.

“Ideally permanent will be the first port of call.”