Burnley star centre-back James Tarkowski is reluctant to join West Ham United during the summer transfer window, according to ExWHUemployee.
Reports emerged toward the end of the week claiming West Ham have seen an opening offer of £20million plus substantial add-ons turned down, with David Moyes keen to add Tarkowski to his plans ahead of the new season commencing.
Moyes considers the two-time England international to be his ‘priority’ option to strengthen the backline at the London Stadium having missed out on Shane Duffy, who has agreed to join Celtic on a season-long loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Irons chiefs are expected to return to Turf Moor with an improved offer worth an initial £27m, though Burnley are understood to be reluctant to sell at any price below the £50m demanded from Liverpool in January with Leicester City also paying close attention.
Any agreement with Burnley could then be met with a further hurdle in Tarkowski and his family, who are currently thought to be against a move to West Ham, although Ex believes efforts will now go toward other centre-half options.
Following Ex’s claims that Tarkowski and his family are against moving to east London, The Guardian’s Jacob Steinburg added that Irons chiefs are still hopeful of securing a deal despite accepting this to be an issue.
How much would Tarkowski be worth in total?
£30-40m
£40-50m
£50m+
The clock is now ticking to reach an agreement with Burnley and Tarkowski in order for the 27-year-old to line up at the London Stadium for our Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Newcastle United on September 12.
Should Ex’s claims prove true, West Ham risk missing out on the Premier League’s most successful defender for aerial duels won by failing to land Tarkowski’s signature, as the Clarets star led the top-flight last season with a staggering 198.
His tally eclipsed those of Liverpool’s £75m Virgil van Dijk (191), Manchester United’s £80m Harry Maguire (176) and Brighton’s Dan Burn (141), per SofaScore, while Tarkowski also ranked first among all Premier League defenders for clearances (200), seventh for interceptions (63), 12th ground duels won (109) and 13th for tackles made (66).
Tarkowski further played 956 accurate passes, which was more than any current Irons defender recorded, plus a higher number of accurate long balls (105), shots taken (15) and only trailed Arthur Masuaku (27) and teammate Charlie Taylor (19) for successful dribbles (13).
