Burnley forward Lyle Foster has overcome personal adversity to establish himself in the Premier League this season.
He was placed in the care of specialists after the recurrence of a mental health issue in 2023, but has since returned to action for the Clarets.
The 25-year-old now seems to be in a good place, establishing himself as a regular for Burnley and the South African national team.
He should be part of their squad at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and will be eager to help his nation lift the trophy for the first time since 1996.
Scouts from other clubs will be monitoring Foster’s performances at the tournament given that he may angle for a move if Burnley are relegated.
With that in mind, read on as we look at three London-based clubs who could be in contention to secure his services next summer.
West Ham United
Few clubs in the English top-flight need a striker as badly as West Ham United. Niclas Fullkrug has failed to impress, while Callum Wilson is entering the twilight of his career.
Foster could be a potent weapon under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with his tireless running making him an ideal fit for his counter-attacking system.
His movement in the channels could create space for West Ham wingers Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen to operate and shine.
His speed and ability to deliver neat finishes are qualities that will catch the eye of anyone who watches his game at AFCON.
While he is not a player who will overpower every defender in his path, his upper-body strength allows him to hold players off before taking a shot.
West Ham need a youthful, energetic centre-forward and the Burnley man could be worth a punt.
Fulham
Fulham managed to keep hold of Rodrigo Muniz beyond the summer transfer window despite him pushing to leave the club.
His playing time has not increased, and there is every chance he will try to engineer an exit again next summer. Foster would be the perfect replacement for the Leeds United target.
Rodrigo and Foster have similar qualities, and Fulham could be the ideal platform for the latter to shine. He can take the mantle from Raul Jimenez in the long term.
AFCON is the perfect stage for him to showcase his quality. Foster, who has scored eight goals in 20 appearances for South Africa, isone of the favourites to win the Golden Boot in Morocco.
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South Africa are rated as 40/1 shots to lift the trophy, but those odds could disappear if Foster starts hitting the target in Morocco.
If Bafana Bafana defy the odds, there is every chance that Fostercan win the Golden Boot award and earn a move to a bigger club.
He could thrive as a lone striker leading the line or playing off another centre-forward at Fulham, giving manager Marco Silva a different offensive weapon.
Brentford
One of Foster’s main strengths is his speed and game intelligence, which allow him to play on the flanks. That versatility would gel with Brentford’s incredibly fluid style.
Keith Andrews’ system, much like Thomas Frank’s before him, places huge emphasis on transition moments, vertical forward runsand intelligent movement across the frontline.
Foster ticks all those boxes. His recent goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers was a perfect example of how he can destroy any defence with his timing, running and finishing.
He is excellent at timing those bursts, curving his runs to stay onside, and attacking space between defenders, traits that Brentford’s data-driven recruitment team will find extremely attractive.
Adding a player to their squad who can operate as a central striker and a wide runner makes perfect sense for the Bees.
Foster’s blend of strength, aggression and speed would give Andrews a malleable forward capable of stretching defences, linking play and finishing moves with minimal touches.
At Brentford, where strikers are refined and often sold for significant profit, Foster could take the next big leap in his career.
