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Earlier this evening Burnley issued a statement which read as follows:
Burnley Football Club can confirm that tonight (Thursday) a formal request has been submitted to Norwich City Football Club to speak to their manager Paul Lambert.
The club has begun the process of targeting the shortlist of candidates to fill the vacant manager's role at Turf Moor. And club officials have subsequently requested permission from the Norwich City board of directors to discuss the position with Lambert.
Burnley Football Club will make no further comments at this time.
It didn't take Norwich long to reply with them immediately making it clear that they would not be giving Burnley permission to speak to their manager.
Norwich's response read:
Norwich City wish to confirm, in response to Burnley's decision this evening to publish the fact that they have made a formal request for permission to speak to Paul Lambert about their managerial vacancy, that permission has not been granted. Under no circumstances would the club wish to grant permission.
The club will fight tooth and nail to retain the services of Paul Lambert and his team, during this critical period of the season, and whilst they remain employed under a long term contract. The club remain committed to Paul and his team in the long term, and see them as a vital part of our future plans.
Where next? Will Burnley continue to pursue Lambert who is clearly now the first choice to replace Laws, or will they look elsewhere? If elsewhere, the most likely destination looks to be Watford and their manager Malky Mackay. But for now, I think, Lambert remains very much the first choice for Burnley.