James Tarkowski Transfer News & Odds

Following Burnley’s recent relegation from the Premier League, there is set to be an exodus of players from Turf Moor in the upcoming weeks as they prepare for life in the Championship.

James Tarkowski's future at the Clarets, however, was already in doubt due to not signing a new contract with the Lancashire side, and following their failure to survive in the top-flight, seems certain to leave on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old Mancunian has many admirers, having been part of a strong triangle at the heart of Burnley’s team with Nick Pope and Ben Mee alongside him. He has made 198 league appearances for Burnley since signing from Brentford in January 2016 for an undisclosed fee.

Everton are currently the bookmakers’ firm favourites to sign Tarkowski at the odds of 4/5.

The Toffees previously signed Michael Keane from Turf Moor for £30m in 2018, with Tarkowski ironically being the long-term replacement for the former at Burnley.

Everton are noticeably poor at defending set-pieces, having let in three from them away at Arsenal alone on the last day of the season, meaning that the Toffees leaked 66 goals as a whole in the Premier League, the fifth-worst defensive record of any side.

With the Toffees often being cash-strapped due to Financial Fairplay issues, a free transfer of this level could help due to it being astute, or even a chance to regenerate funds if they are to sell a player.

Everton are priced at 4/5 to acquire Tarkowski this summer - click on the link to claim this bet in your bet slip

Aston Villa are one of the bookmakers’ favourites to sign Tarkowski on a free transfer as Steven Gerrard looks to bolster his side’s defensive options.

The Villains have already shown plenty of ambition in the transfer market in the last 12 months, having signed the likes of Danny Ings, Lucas Digne, Philippe Coutinho on top of reports that Boubacar Kamara could also be set to join from Marseille on a free transfer.

Villa’s defence was leaky last season, having conceded 54 in 38 matches, a figure that they will likely have to improve upon if they are to stand any chance of progressing towards the European places.

Having shown his capabilities at Burnley when in a settled back four, the likes of Tarkowski could be a reliable partner next to fellow England international Tyrone Mings in Villa’s backline.

Tarkowski is priced at 2/1 to join Villa this summer.

Newcastle are also predictably on this list of clubs that are interested in acquiring Tarkowski on a free transfer from Burnley.

For all the millions that they have had to spend under the ownership of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the Magpies have done it in an astute manner, especially with the signing of the likes of Dan Burn.

On a free transfer, could Tarkowski be another one to join the ex-Clarets contingent at St James’ Park in Eddie Howe, Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood?

With Tarkowski being available on a free transfer, Newcastle could ultimately put any transfer fee aside for another area of the squad that they feel is worthwhile investing in, hence why it would be an astute move. The possibility of playing for Newcastle is an attractive proposition of present due to their ambition, hence why it could suit both parties.

Tarkowski is priced at 3/1 to move to St James’ Park in the summer.

Leicester City are another side that have been linked with the Burnley defender, with the Foxes also waiting for his contract at Turf Moor to run out.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had a poor campaign for their standards, despite finishing eighth in the table, as they were never really in the hunt for European football following inconsistent form throughout the 2021/22 season.

With the likes of Jonny Evans being 34-years-old and Wesley Fofana suffering a broken leg before the season had kicked off, Rodgers’ will be wary and likely make sure that he boosts his squad depth to help the Foxes to attain the high standards that they set in both 2019/20 and 2020/21 when they pushed for the Champions League places.

Tarkowski is priced at 6/1 to leave Turf Moor for the King Power Stadium this summer.

West Ham have shown plenty of interest in Tarkowski in recent years and this is likely to be no different, especially with the 29-year-old being available for a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract this summer.

Tarkowski would fit in well at West Ham in their system, as he is an experienced ball-playing centre back and could play a similar role to that of Craig Dawson who has impressed since his move from Watford.

With Angelo Ogbonna suffering a serious cruciate knee ligament injury, the Hammers will be down to just three fit centre-backs, meaning that they will need to add to their roster if they are to utilise the back five once again.

Having shown interest in Tarkowski in the past, West Ham are priced at 8/1 to finally sign the Burnley man.

The final team on this list of clubs that are interested in Tarkowski are Fulham who have also reportedly shown an interest in signing his Burnley teammate Nick Pope.

Fulham have been known to be heavy spenders on each season that they have been promoted to the Premier League, and the signing of Tarkowski could help strengthen an ambitious club’s chances of consolidating their place in the Premier League next season.

Marco Silva’s men scored a staggering 106 goals in the Championship last campaign, but, did concede 43, with the latter likely being a number that will significantly increase unless there are improvements to this area for their upcoming Premier League campaign, hence why the signature of someone like Tarkowski would be a great move by the Cottagers.

Fulham are priced at 9/1 to lure Tarkowski to Craven Cottage in the summer.