BURNLEY are understood to be closing in on Hearts winger Andrew Driver.

The Clarets pursued the talented young winger during the previous two summers, but look set to fend off competition from Middlesbrough, Wigan and even double winners Chelsea to make it third time lucky by doubling their latest offer.

Operational director Brendan Flood is believed to have been involved in discussions with Driver’s agent, and a deal in the region of Burnley’s £3million transfer record could be agreed next week, even though Chelsea were thought to have been in talks over a £5m transfer following an initial loan spell.

But Oldham-born Driver, who is under contract at Tynecastle until 2013, is keen to make his mark as a first team regular if he moves south of the border, and boost his chances of becoming a full Scotland international by the end of the year after eligibility rules were widened.

Former manager Owen Coyle was a big admirer of Driver and made approaches to Scottish Premier League side Hearts in the two summers he was at Turf Moor, which were subsequently rejected.

But, despite Coyle’s defection to Bolton Wanderers in January, the Clarets have maintained their interest in the 22-year-old wide man.

Driver won many admirers during last summer’s UEFA Under 21 Championships in Sweden, where he made his England debut.

One scouting report put him in the top five ‘ones to watch’ in the whole competition, alongisde Inter and Italy’s Mario Balotelli and Sweden’s Marcus Berg.