Well, Newcastle United’s attempts to sign James Tarkowski may not be dead yet.
The Magpies have been linked with the player quite a lot in recent months.
However, Tarkowski is reported to have told Burnley that he’s leaving when his contract expires at the end of the season.
But The Telegraph has this morning claimed that the 29-year-old is keen to join Newcastle now.
The report adds that the Clarets’ boss Sean Dyche could indeed sell his best defender if a ‘suitable replacement’ becomes available this month.
Major boost
Signing the Burnley star – who originally cost £3 million – could be massive for Newcastle in January.
Eddie Howe’s side are only two points adrift of safety as things stand, but they’ve been leaking goals this season.
With 42 goals conceded, Newcastle have the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League, illustrating why they’re 19th in the standings.
But bolstering that defence with an experienced top-flight star like Tarkowski could be huge.
The fact he wants to join Newcastle is significant because, with Saudi wealth at their back, money talks and it’ll be interesting to see if United can convince the Clarets to sell up.
Dyche called the player ‘outstanding‘, suggesting he knows his value.
Even if he isn’t cheap, it could make all the difference for Newcastle.
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