Director of Football Marcel Brands is unlikely to plot a summer swoop for James Tarkowski, after the Liverpool Echo proposed the Burnley defender as a potential target for Everton following a setback in the club’s chase of LOSC Lille’s Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel has been frequently linked with a move to Goodison Park since Carlo Ancelotti was appointed as Marco Silva’s successor, with claims that Brands would look to revive our interest at the climax of the Ligue 1 season after failing to conclude business in January.
Since then, the Brazilian has remained linked to Everton in transfer columns but we are not alone, as Arsenal were an early rival while Chelsea are now said to be leading the race ahead of a €35million (£30.7m) deal.
Fellow long-standing Toffees target Marash Kumbulla is thought to be one of the club’s primary alternatives to Gabriel, but the Echo have proposed that Tarkowski, 1.FSV Mainz 05’s Moussa Niakhate, Atalanta B.C’s Jose Luis Palomino, RC Strasbourg Alsace’s Alexander Djiku and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Nico Elvedi would all make for suitable options, as well.
The Echo put forward Tarkowski as an option as the Burnley defender is one of just five centre-back’s to rank in the top-28 for aerial duels won, defensive duels won and ball recoveries among Europe’s top-five leagues.
It is noted that Gabriel is another one of the five, while Tottenham Hotspur’s Davinson Sanchez and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire are, as well.
Data collected by Sofa Score this season show Tarkowski, who is a two-time England international, has won 144 aerial dues (76%) in the Premier League, plus 88 ground duels (61%), made 49 successful tackles, 49 interceptions and 148 clearances.
The 27-year-old has also blocked 37 shots, but has committed 38 fouls, made four errors that have led to shots, lost possession 329 times and been dribbled past on 19 occasions.
Over 29 top-flight outings, of which all have come in the starting line-up, Tarkowski would make for a solid addition to Ancelotti’s ranks next season, but the likelihood of Brands forging a pursuit this summer is extremely unlikely.
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Tarkowski was linked with a shock mid-season move to Liverpool in January when Jurgen Klopp was believed to be on the hunt for a new centre-half on loan, but Burnley refused any temporary deals and instead insisted on a staggering £50million price tag.
That would be an astronomical sum to pay for the £50,000-per-week defender even if he has been in-form and is under contract at Turf Moor until 2022, especially given £50m would be the same total spend we paid for Richarlison once potential add-ons are included.
What could help in matters, though, is that Tarkowski is keen to add further caps with the Three Lions to his name, and he could see how Michael Keane’s England record developed at Goodison Park as reason to think positively on following in his footsteps.
In other Everton news, the club will be made to pay for our failed January swoop should Carlo Ancelotti return for a 41-cap man.