Leicester City are looking to bring in a young centre-back with his best years ahead of him, according to The Athletic, as a deal for Burnley’s James Tarkowski looks increasingly unlikely.
It is just not the way Leicester operate; paying a bank-busting sum for a man who will turn 29 before the year is out.
The Foxes have made a name for themselves as something of a footballing finishing school, a place where promising up-and-comers can develop their talents and make their name at the top of English football.
In fact, Leicester have only signed one player aged 30 or over since the start of 2018/19 – and Jonny Evans was brought in from Manchester United specifically to add some leadership and experience to the King Power dressing room.
While the FA Cup winners were happy to pay £30 million for England international Tarkowski last summer (BBC), the Athletic suggests that a new bid is unlikely to be forthcoming before the end of August.
Is Burnley’s James Tarkowski now too old for Leicester City?
Tarkowski is 29 these days and, considering Leicester pride themselves on a ‘sign-low, sell-high’ transfer policy, the Midland giants are understandably looking elsewhere.
The likes of Mouctar Diakhaby of Valencia (24) and Fenerbahce’s 23-year-old sensation Attila Szalai are both cheaper and younger. Reports say both players are interested in joining Leicester.
Tarkowski, meanwhile, has just one year left on his contract, having refused to sign an extension at Turf Moor.
But with Burnley reluctant to soften their stance and reduce an eye-watering price-tag, it looks increasingly likely that one of the Premier League’s most reliable central defenders will be leaving on a free transfer in 2022.
Wolves and West Ham United have both been linked with Tarkowski in recent weeks but it seems the trail has gone cold since then.
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