Sky Sports pundit and former Everton striker Kevin Campbell believes reported transfer target James Tarkowski will help solve the Toffees’ defensive issues next season.
As per The Athletic, Tarkowski was undergoing a medical earlier this week ahead of an expected move to Goodison Park.
The 29-year-old will join the Toffees on a free transfer after he let his contract at Burnley expire and is expected to sign a four-year deal at Goodison Park, becoming Lampard’s first signing of the summer.
The Manchester-born defender played 35 Premier League games for Burnley last season as they were relegated to the Championship after a six-year stint in the Premier League.
Tarkowski joined the Turf Moor club in February 2016 from Brentford.
The centre-back then helped Burnley gain promotion before making 194 top-flight appearances, becoming a crucial figure under Sean Dyche during his Clarets reign.
The Toffees’ backline was a major weakness last term as the club battled relegation, so adding reinforcements in that area is surely a key priority for their huge summer rebuild, and Campbell predicts the two-time England international to become a favourite at the club seeing as he perfectly fits the bill to beef up their defence for next season.
Speaking to Goodison News, he said:
“I think it’s a much-needed signing.
“Tarkowski is a no-nonsense defender. He does his job. And he’s always available, which is really important, and he just gets on with it.
“I think he’ll be a favourite at Goodison because, if I’m honest with you, he just concentrates on defending.
“He’ll defend, and he’ll defend properly, which is what Everton need.
“Everton need to fix that defence and fix the midfield.
“If they fix that, then they’ll be fine, and Tarkowski’s signing goes a long way to fixing a real problem area.”
TIF Thoughts on Tarkowski…
Signing a player of Tarkowski’s quality and Premier League experience is certainly a no-brainer for Lampard and Everton.
Once described as an “outstanding” defender by former boss Sean Dyche and a “real leader” at the back by former top-flight striker Noel Whelan, the 6ft 1in centre-back should certainly help with the Toffees’ defensive problems after they conceded 66 times in the league last season, the fifth-most of any team in the division.
And as a free transfer, the former Brentford man would arguably represent a solid start to Everton’s rebuild as they look to improve in the upcoming term.