Fee set over Coyle Burnley move

Owen Coyle is due to have talks with Burnley on Thursday

St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle is nearing a move to English Championship outfit Burnley after the two clubs agreed a figure over compensation.

The Scottish First Division club said Burnley had increased their initial offer and that Coyle was free to begin talks over a possible move.

Coyle, 41, will travel to Turf Moor on Thursday to begin negotiations.

Burnley have been without a manager since Steve Cotterill left by mutual consent on 8 November.

Interview: St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown

Interview: St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle

St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown told his club website: "The approach from Burnley this week has come out of the blue and the offer they have made today is improved on the one yesterday.

A compensation package has been agreed between the two clubs Burnley statement

"I rate Owen highly and that is why he was recently rewarded with a three-year contract and that has been taken into account when discussing compensation figures.

"We have given Burnley permission to speak to Owen and they will now have to agree personal terms.

"If that cannot be done then he will remain manager of St Johnstone Football Club."

The negotiations come as Saints prepare for Sunday's Challenge Cup final against Dunfermline Athletic at Dens Park.

However, it appears that Coyle is keen on a return to an area where he lived while playing for Bolton Wanderers.

A statement on Burnley's official website read: "Burnley Football Club has today been granted permission to negotiate with St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle over the vacancy at Turf Moor.

"A compensation package has been agreed between the two clubs if Coyle is appointed and he will now travel for talks on Thursday morning."

MY SPORT: DEBATE Games this season have not proved that OC has the credentials to go to a so-called bigger club and be a success oldsaintee 21

Coyle took charge of St Johnstone in 2005, with the Perth club missing out on promotion to the Scottish Premier League in the final seconds of last season.

He previously had a spell as co-player-manager at Falkirk, having started his playing career at Dumbarton and playing for a number of clubs, including Airdrieonians, Dundee United and Bolton.