James Tarkowski is keen to end his time with Burnley and join West Ham this summer transfer window.
Since joining Burnley from Brentford in 2016, James Tarkowski, 28, has gone on to make over 180 appearances. He has been a reliable performer at Turf Moor under the management of Sean Dyche.
The two-cap England international is among the host of Burnley players whose contracts run out in 12 months time. Tarkowski opted not to commit his future at Turf Moor a year ago after the club rejected West Ham and Leicester City bids.
He hasn’t changed his stance and is understood to be interested in a move to the east London club. With Tarkowski set to enter the final 12 months in his deal, the Clarets will be under pressure to cash in on him now.
Meanwhile, David Moyes has ended speculation by signing a new long-term contract with West Ham. He led the Hammers through a reviving 2020/21 campaign that ended in a sixth-place finish, securing European qualification in the process.
West Ham must invest in a quality centre-half
The Scottish tactician will look to build on his excellent work at London Stadium by making some quality additions to his squad over the summer transfer window.
The Hammers were exciting going forward last season, with the likes of Michail Antonio, Jesse Lingard, Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen linking very well in the final third and scoring goals. They scored 62 goals in 38 games, which is a healthy return.
At the other end of the pitch, though, West Ham weren’t that great. 47 goals conceded in the entire league campaign clearly epitomises the need to add more quality to the defensive unit in the coming months.
Moyes mostly played with a back-three system that comprised of Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson and Aaron Creswell in central defence. While the trio performed admirably well, they all are in their 30’s, and with the Hammers participating in the Europa League next term, they might struggle to play three games in a week.
Not to forget, Fabian Balbuena will leave the London Stadium upon the expiry of his contract on June 30, which will leave Moyes light at the back. Thus, it is not rocket science as to why West Ham must sign a quality centre-back this summer.
James Tarkowski could be a solid signing for the Hammers
To put things straight, West Ham reviving their interest in James Tarkowski makes sense.
Tarkowski is a Premier League proven, a reliable defender who would instantly improve West Ham’s options at the back as well as add much-needed depth to the squad. The Englishman has a wealth of experience under his belt and the prospect of adding a player enjoying his prime years would be a masterstroke for West Ham.
The 28-year-old is a strong and athletic defender who could potentially build a strong partnership with Ogbonna under Moyes’ stewardship. Tarkowski has the qualities to make an immediate impact at West Ham, whilst being an upgrade on Dawson.
With that in mind, West Ham would bag a real coup if they manage to secure the signature of Tarkowski before the new season commences.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
