‘We’re in a very strong position’: Manager reacts to reported £27m West Ham bid

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Sean Dyche has warned West Ham United that Burnley won’t sell star centre-back James Tarkowski on the cheap after the Hammers made a £27 million bid, he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

While the £18 million sale of academy graduate Grady Diangana left West Ham fans fuming and their angry skipper using social media to express his dissatisfaction, the phrase ‘necessary evil’ comes to mind.

In an ideal world, David Moyes would have kept hold of arguably the most exciting young talent to emerge from one of England’s most feted youth systems and built an exciting, fresh-faced side around Diangana, Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice.

But Moyes also needs funds for defensive reinforcements – and with no offers arriving for Manuel Lanzini or Felipe Anderson, the Scot had little choice but to cash in on Diangana.

Signing England international Tarkowski for a big-money sum would surely go some way to appeasing an increasingly disillusioned fanbase.

But Dyche is understandably desperate to hang on to arguably the finest central defender outside the Premier League’s top four.

“The club is in a very strong position financially. Does every player have their price at every club? Yes they do,” Dyche said when asked about West Ham’s interest in Tarkowski.

“But it’s fair to say we’re in a very strong position. We are not in the business of selling our best players on the cheap.

“(Tarkowski) is a very talented player. He had an excellent season and I’m sure he will look to have an excellent season for us this season.”

The BBC reports West Ham have made a £27 million bid for Tarkowski.

But, with a £50 million release clause in his contract, Burnley may be better off waiting for the market to return to its over-inflated state before considering bids for a 27-year-old who appears to be getting better by the season (Mail).