Daniel Ballard’s transfer to Burnley has fallen through in the final stages, despite the player even travelling for a medical.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Daniel Ballard of Millwall looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Millwall and Cambridge United at The Den on August 24, 2021. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Daniel Ballard of Millwall looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Millwall and Cambridge United at The Den on August 24, 2021. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

The Athletic report that Daniel Ballard’s move to Burnley has broken down, as terms could not be agreed. It’s not clarified whether that means personal terms or club-to-club clauses.

Ballard had been in Burnley for a medical, after being convinced to join the club by new manager Vincent Kompany. But the deal now appears to be off.

Arsenal intended to include a matching clause and a sell-on clause in the contract, giving them first right of refusal on a future sale, and a cut of the profits if they didn’t want to buy him back.

The planned deal was also structured with performance-related add-ons, meaning the better Ballard did, the more Arsenal would earn.

Instead, Arsenal will need to look for a new buyer, and they’ll presumably be looking for similar terms from any other club.

Northern Ireland's defender Daniel Ballard controls the ball during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at the Stade de Geneve, in Geneva on October 9, 2021. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Northern Ireland’s defender Daniel Ballard controls the ball during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at the Stade de Geneve, in Geneva on October 9, 2021. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

The initial fee wasn’t reported to be particularly high, with some claiming it was as low as £2m. It was the add-ons and sale clauses that would’ve made Arsenal the real money.

That may help some other interested parties now, who perhaps don’t have a huge amount to spend this summer but could afford a deal like that over the long term.