TalkSport insider Alex Crook has hinted that West Ham United could make a move for Burnley defender James Tarkowski before the transfer window closes.
West Ham United got their season off to a decent start as they emerged 4-2 winners against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, with goals from Aaron Cresswell, Said Benrahma, Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio enough to take the points.
But with West Ham United competing in European competition this season, they will perhaps need a couple of extra bodies to help get them through the season, with David Moyes stating after the game: “Undoubtedly, I am going to try and add to the squad and I will be adding a defender.”
Speaking on the TalkSport Gameday podcast, Crook hinted that Burnley defender Tarkowski, valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt and twice capped for England, could very well be the man that comes through the door at the London Stadium, with the Hammers having struggled when it comes to some of their other defensive targets this summer:
“Keep an eye on James Tarkowski as well, their goalscorer, because I think I’m right in saying that his contract hasn’t got that long to run.
“He’s someone who’s been on West Ham’s radar in the past, they’re struggling to find a centre-half, haven’t been able to make a breakthrough with either [Kurt] Zouma or [Nikola] Milenkovic, their two top targets. It wouldn’t surprise me between now and the end of the window if possibly they test Burnley’s resolve.”
TIF Thoughts on Alex Crook’s comments about West Ham United and James Tarkowski…
Would you like to see the club make a late move for James Tarkowski?
Yes
No
Crook is right when it comes to Tarkowski in that his contract does expire next summer, so Burnley are running out of time before they end up running the risk of losing him on a free transfer.
And with West Ham looking quite thin when it comes to central defenders, with them competing in Europe, they are going to need sufficient resources to compete on multiple fronts if they are to avoid suffering a big slide down the table should injuries and suspensions take their toll.
But whether or not Burnley would be willing to get rid of someone so important to them – their second-best player last year per WhoScored’s ratings – is a different matter. So even though he is into the final year, it is hard to imagine that Burnley would be willing to let him go cheaply if West Ham do come knocking trying to make an offer.
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