Aston Villa are set to pip Everton, Fulham and West Ham United to free agent James Tarkowski, according to reports.
The Burnley centre back is out of contract this summer and was always set to leave the Clarets, whatever happened with their Premier League status.
According to the Daily Express, Villa have offered a deal worth around £120,000 per week which is double what he earns at Burnley and significantly more than the offers he’s received from elsewhere. Everton have reportedly offered a £90,000 per week deal.
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Tarkowski has played well this campaign despite Burnley’s frailties and has widely been regarded as the club’s best player - having also picked up two England caps in 2018.
Everton are in desperate need of reinforcements in the defensive area with Yerry Mina’s fitness issues a real concern this campaign. Mason Holgate and Michael Keane have been inconsistent overall, which is part of the reason why the Toffees were embroiled in a relegation battle.
The same can be said for West Ham, with Craig Dawson ageing and Kurt Zouma being charged for his off-field issues. Fulham would surely be after some Premier League experience.
Tarkowski has made 30 or more Premier League appearances in each of the last five seasons since the aforementioned Keane’s Turf Moor departure, showing his consistency and longevity at this level.
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Everton are likely to compete the most with Steven Gerrard’s side for Tarkowski’s signature, with the Villans already showing ambition in the market by announcing the signings of Phillippe Coutinho and Boubacar Kamara.
Topics: Burnley, Aston Villa, Transfers
Chris Stonadge