James Tarkowski expected to sign for Everton imminently
The deal to bring key transfer target James Tarkowski to Everton could be done by Friday [10 June] according to talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams.
The former Burnley centre-back is available on a free transfer after his contract at Turf Moor expired and Frank Lampard made him one of his top priorities this summer.
90min reported on Wednesday [8 June] that the 29-year-old was due on Merseyside for a medical, and it looks like everything has gone to plan and he should be the Toffees’ first addition any time now.
Abrahams wrote on his personal Twitter account Thursday morning [9 June]: “I’m expecting [Tarkowski] to join Everton before the end of the week on a 4 year deal”.
Aston Villa were the main competitors for his signature but a move to Goodison appears to be on the cards imminently.
Top start
If the former England international is due to arrive by Sunday at the latest then it is a very positive start for the transfer window.
Since his medical should already be done it is reasonable to assume that the timeframe is going to be shorter rather than longer.
Lampard badly needed help in central defence, and the ex-Clarets man made perfect sense as a free transfer, with the club’s ability to shell out large fees currently diminished.
The often-injured Yerry Mina is reportedly on his way out [TuttoMercatoWeb] so Tarkowski may not be the only addition at the position this summer.
The Colombian is arguably the top man in central defence at the club but his inability to stay healthy has made that a moot point too often.
Ben Godfrey was also missing for key periods during the relegation battle but should be back by the start of the upcoming campaign.
Whether Lampard feels confident to rely on Michael Keane and Mason Holgate in the event of any further injuries is probably doubtful, so additional affordable help seems likely to remain a going concern.
In other Everton news, one Sky Sports pundit wants the club to take up the offer of a “coveted player” to further strengthen.
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