Everton ahead in race for James Tarkowski, Aston Villa drop out of race
Everton are leading the race for Burnley defender James Tarkowski after Aston Villa dropped out of the race for him, according to The Telegraph.
The Toffees moved ahead in the race for the 29-year-old central defender when they offered him a £90,000 per week [Telegraph] deal after he opted to move away from Turf Moor after seven years at the club.
But there was a belief that Aston Villa had gazumped them by offering £120,000 per week [Daily Mail] to get a deal over the line, but it’s now believed that deal won’t happen.
The Midlands club confirmed the signing of Sevilla defender Diego Carlos on Thursday [May 26], which according to journalist Jason Burt has signalled the end of their chase for Tarkowski.
That leaves Everton in pole position to close a deal although clubs such as Fulham and West Ham are also said to have an interest in signing him.
Major coup
Considering where Everton ended the season and how it all played out, sealing a major signing like Tarkowski ahead of other competition from above them in the league is a big coup for the club.
The wages may seem high but with no transfer fee attached to the deal they were always likely to be more than usual. But Tarkowski will bring reliability and stability to a team that lacked both things if a deal can be done.
Lampard has made his targets clear with early moves and the 29-year-old uncapped ace is clearly among the priorities considering the season hasn’t even been over for a week yet.
It’s a sign of progression under the manager but also that there is clear planning and strategy heading into the window, something that has lacked under this board in recent years.
It can only be seen as a positive, but the deal isn’t wrapped up just yet so fingers crossed it’s not all for nothing.
In other Everton news, a defender that Virgil Van Dijk dubbed as ‘fantastic’ is on Everton’s transfer shortlist this summer.
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