With the European Championships looming over the horizon, and the Qatar World Cup due to take place a year later, James Tarkowski is facing a race against time if he wants to force his way back into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
And the fact that the Burnley defender has gone public with his refusal to sign a new contract at Turf Moor, days after being left out of the latest England squad, is surely no coincidence.
Tarkowski has been arguably the most in-form English centre-back in the Premier League since the start of last season.
But it is two years now since his one and only Three Lions appearance.
After being unfairly overlooked yet again by Southgate, perhaps Tarkowski has come to the conclusion that he cannot achieve his international ambitions while plying his trade at Turf Moor.
Speaking to the Telegraph this week, the 27-year-old admitted that he has turned down the chance to extend a contract due to expire in 2022. There is very little, he says, that will change his mind at present.
With all due respect to Burnley, West Ham or Leicester would represent a step forward.
The Hammers, who made a series of bids for the £40 million-rated Tarkowski and could return in January (Star), are one of the most historic clubs in the country and look upwardly mobile under David Moyes.
Leicester, meanwhile, are top the table after eight games and would offer Tarkowski the chance to play continental football for the first time since that very brief flirtation with the Europa League in 2018.
The Mirror (12 August, page 61) reports that Tarkowski would be tempted by the chance to join an exciting, improving Foxes side.
And with Burnley slipping down the table amid growing divisions behind the scenes, even some Clarets fans can’t blame him for looking elsewhere.
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