Burnley believe West Ham target is worth more than Man City new boy
Burnley will tell West Ham to double their offer for James Tarkowski to somewhere in the region of £50m – and a report has revealed why.
Claims arose over the weekend that West Ham were plotting a move for the defender. However, Burnley turned their £25m offer down.
Now, The Sun claim the offer that Burnley fended off was actually worth £27m – and they still want around double that fee.
Tarkowski has been a pillar of Burnley’s defence since joining in 2016. He has made nearly 150 appearances in the time since then and became an England international in 2018.
The 27-year-old remains a vitally important player for Sean Dyche’s team, so they are understandably keen to keep hold of him.
And the reason for their high valuation of his price has become clear via a report in The Sun.
The newspaper claims that Burnley think Tarkowski is worth more than Nathan Ake, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth this summer.
With Ake moving for £40m, the Clarets have decided to ask for a higher price before considering allowing Tarkowski to leave.
Therefore, West Ham will have to nearly double their opening offer for the centre-back.
Meanwhile, Tarkowski has admitted he wants to aim for the top as he enters his prime years.
He hasn’t featured for England for two years and has also only tasted European football once, with Burnley back in 2018-19.
“For me, with the age I am coming into my prime years and wanting to progress, I want to go for the top level,” he told the Telegraph.
“I want to play at the best level I can, club football and internationally. I want to test myself against the best. We will see what happens.
“I just want to play at the top level and if that opportunity came I don’t think it is something I could turn down.
“Champions League and playing for your country, playing in big tournaments, is playing at the top level, so that’s what I would want to do if the opportunities came.”
Three-horse race for Tarkowski
The report adds that Leicester and Crystal Palace are also monitoring the two-cap England international.
Leicester’s interest in Tarkowski emerged over the weekend, with Brendan Rodgers looking for reinforcements at the back.
The Foxes did not sign an immediate replacement for Harry Maguire last summer. Although Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu have done relatively well, Rodgers still wants another option.
Unlike the other competitors for Tarkowski, Leicester have European football to offer next season.