Reporter Damian Spellman has been speaking on the Everything is Black and White podcast about the concern he has about the club’s attempts to potentially sign James Tarkowski.
Eddie Howe will have been delighted at the weekend as he saw his side pick up their first win of the season, but they also managed to keep their first clean sheet in the Premier League – and this was after he resisted the temptation to start either of Federico Fernandez or Matt Ritchie.
With a full house at St. James’ Park there to witness that first victory, one of their reported January transfer targets will have realised what it could be like to play in the black and white, as Tarkowski captained Burnley on Saturday amid reports from The Telegraph claiming he is the number-one target for Newcastle’s owners.
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Speaking on the likelihood of a deal, Spellman believes that signing Tarkowski may depend on Burnley’s ability to bring in a replacement.
“I would say it’s unlikely that you’re going to be able to sign a James Tarkowski on January 1st. Even if they are prepared to let him go, I think you might be going until the back end of the month until they’ve got a replacement lined up.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle wanting Tarkowski…
The Magpies are seriously struggling at the back this season as they currently boast the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League, but being able to add someone like Tarkowski to their ranks given his experience in the top flight while weakening one of their relegation rivals would be a superb piece of business.
With Tarkowski out of contract in the summer and considering that Burnley do not boast the best finances in the league when you look at their spending over the years, they may be wise to accept an offer from Newcastle, especially if a sizeable bid comes in, given the centre-back will leave for nothing at the end of the season if he does not extend his current deal.
In other news: ‘Will see movement on that in the new year’ – Caulkin reveals what owners ‘want to do’ at NUFC