Alan Pace urged to lock in Zian Flemming with a Bowen‑style deal

At Turf Moor on the Championship’s opening day, Burnley salvaged a point after Zian Flemming’s two late strikes stunned West Ham, prompting calls for Alan Pace to emulate West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen contract model and secure the Dutch forward for the club’s promotion push.

Action Image By  Chris Gallagher PM GMT+1 writes for Football League World. Graduating from Leeds Trinity University, Chris has been part of the FLW team since 2017, producing thousands of articles and covering the Championship, including matches at West Brom and Birmingham City. Add Us to follow his latest insights.

Flemming’s opening‑day heroics

Burnley earned a point on the opening day of the Championship thanks to two late Zian Flemming goals against West Ham. Flemming converted a penalty to pull one back before crashing home an equaliser in stoppage time, rescuing the Clarets from a likely defeat.

Pace urged to lock down Flemming

So, the 28‑year‑old’s performance revived Premier League interest, with earlier reports linking Leeds and Brentford to the Dutchman. Everton have now reportedly joined the race, adding another top‑flight suitor to the mix.

When FLW asked Burnley fan pundit Aaron Wright whether the display would attract further offers, he said, “There will be interest in him, absolutely… The thing is, we can’t lose him, there’s no way we can.” Wright added that Pace should offer Flemming a “Bowen deal” with Premier League wages and a £20m release clause to keep him at Turf Moor.

Wright recalled a previous episode when Pace rejected a £25m bid for a player originally signed for £2m, saying it fit the club’s model of retaining assets. That decision, he argued, helped preserve the team’s core despite relegation.

Flemming is currently under contract until 2029, and promotion is believed to be worth in excess of £200m, making his retention financially crucial for Burnley. Keeping the main striker, Wright believes, will significantly boost the club’s chances of returning to the Premier League.

Burnley have already sold players to balance the books after relegation, and losing their leading forward would force a hurried search for a replacement. The clock is ticking to secure a suitable successor if the Dutchman departs.

Thus, urging Alan Pace to repeat the West Ham Jarrod Bowen approach could see Zian Flemming remain a central figure in Burnley’s promotion campaign, reinforcing the club’s ambition to climb back to the top tier.