The Daily Mail have reported that Leicester City want to sign the Clarets’ man, while Sean Dyche is holding out for a massive fee to force him to part with his first choice defender.
Vital
James Tarkowski has been a vital part of Burnley’s defence since he arrived from Brentford, and played every minute of every Premier League game this season as he underlined why England capped him twice.
Leicester were interested this time last year, but decided they couldn’t afford his fee and decided to go with the inexperienced Caglar Soyuncu. While that worked out well before 2020, Brendan Rodgers will be worried by his dramatic drop-off in form.
Prime
At 27, Tarkowski is at the top of his game and has been for some time. He’s now played 123 Premier League games and knows his own style inside out, but would it fit with what the Foxes what? I don’t think anyone could argue that this deal wouldn’t bring stability to a back line that was erratic at times, but how about the fee?
Well price comes from the value we prescribe things. Liverpool fans might not think the Burnley man is worth that much, but they have the best defence in the league so that’s normal.
Leicester fans might not accept a 50 million valuation, but could stomach a 30 million valuable. The Clarets, on the other hand, getting that full wack is vitally important as they look to progress as a club.
Mindset
Replacing your best defender is easy when you’re a ‘fashionable’ side, but Burnley could have all the money in the world but they’re not going to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli are they? They have a natural ceiling, which makes replacing their stars much more difficult and that means they need more money for them.
Without European football or a lavish squad, they will be forced to shop from the Championship or from the bargain bin. Those players might turn out to be the next Tarkowski and that takes time.
50 milion will help sooth the passage of time, 30 won’t.