Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to sign Burnley defender and Newcastle United target James Tarkowski on a free transfer next summer.
According to a report from Fichajes, Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs interested in the services of James Tarkowski. The Burnley defender has emerged as a hot prospect in the English market as his current contract at Turf Moor expires at the end of the ongoing campaign.
Tarkowski has already emerged as a target for multiple clubs, including Newcastle United. However, the team that stands out most in the hunt for the English defender are Tottenham, who are desperate for defensive reinforcements next summer.
Their sporting director Fabio Paratici has already indicated that there might be a massive overhaul in defence, as the team has appeared leaky at the back this season. In just ten league matches, Spurs have conceded 16 goals, with only Leicester City attaining a worse defensive record among the top-half teams of the Premier League table right now.
Three of those goals came in the recent defeat to Manchester United, a game where both centre-backs in Eric Dier and Cristian Romero underperformed. Tottenham are hoping to get rid of this issue by adding more competition in the defensive unit. One of their top targets is Tarkowski, who would bring his wealth of experience in English football, having featured in almost 200 competitive matches with Burnley.
The 28-year-old’s dogged defensive contributions under Sean Dyche have been critical in helping Burnley survive the wrath of relegation and preserve their Premier League status. But his current contract at Turf Moor expires at the end of the season, and it could be time for the defender to move on.
Tottenham could be an interesting destination for Tarkowski, who also has two caps for the England national team. His no-nonsense defensive attitude, combined with his aggression and leadership qualities, could make him a useful asset for Nuno Espirito Santo and a potential replacement for Toby Alderweireld.
The Belgian veteran left Spurs in the summer in favour of a move to Qatar. His departure has left a hole in the leadership role at Spurs. Although Hugo Lloris has been a vocal leader, his contract expires next summer as well, with the club even eyeing a move for ex-Arsenal star Emi Martinez as a potential replacement.
Tarkowski could thus be a sensible investment for Spurs, especially for a free transfer. It is also why even the cash-rich Newcastle United are eying a move for him next season, knowing the Burnley star could be a more realistic option than other reported defensive targets like Wesley Fofana, who is a target for Manchester United as well.
It remains to be seen if Tottenham or Newcastle act on their reported interest in Tarkowski and sign him up on a free transfer when his contract with Burnley runs out next year.
