Burnley boss Sean Dyche has revealed that he didn't want to lose Chris Wood after the forward made the £25million move to Newcastle United last week.
The Magpies confirmed the signing of the New Zealand international for a fee of around £25m, becoming Eddie Howe's second addition of the January window following the arrival of Kieran Trippier.
Wood was drafted straight into the starting XI for Newcastle's clash with Watford on Saturday and is expected to play an important role in the relegation battle at the bottom of the division.
With Burnley currently 20th after Norwich City's win over Everton, the 50-year-old has spoken for the first time about Wood's move and admitted that he could've gone to anyone who met the clause in his contract.
As per Lancashire Live, he said: "It happened quickly, when there was a release clause they know what it is, which they obviously did, and they activated it. Then it is a straightforward contractual situation other than medicals and stuff like that.
"It is irrelevant. Someone knew what the clause was and they activated. He could have gone to anyone who is willing to meet it.
"That is the way it goes, you don’t want to lose good players at any time. If a contractual situation opens up and the player chooses they want to go then that is just a fact of contracts and the delicacy of them sometimes."
A proven Premier League goalscorer, Wood has netted 50 times in 156 top-flight appearances and has hit double-figures in each of his last four full seasons at Turf Moor.
He was also Burnley's top scorer in every campaign at the club and his departure could leave Dyche's men light up front heading into the second half of the season.
Although Wood has found the net just three times this season, Dyche has spoken highly of the player and has wished him well following his move to the North East.
He added: "It wasn't a perfect scenario. He was a good player, a bit quieter this season but a good record. It has happened before and we have been down this road before.
"We have a strong group and our mentality is going to be important. Woody is a good player, has done very well for us and we wish him well.
"He has been performing for a long time and sometimes players do hit a quiet spell. It certainly wasn't us allowing him to sit in his comfort zone.
"I understand him slightly, maybe he feels he needs a freshness and a difference. I found him an honest fella who knows when he is not doing as well as he can do.
"He knew he was quieter than what we expected from himself and from us. It was a clause in a contract, we weren't pushing that to happen."
