Chelsea have joined Arsenal and Manchester City in the race for Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski after missing out on Virgil Van Dijk. According to The Times, Arsenal and Manchester City are monitoring Tarkowski with a view to bidding for the Burnley centre-back next summer. But it seems Chelsea are in a hurry to strengthen their back-line and could target the 25-year-old in the New Year.
The centre-half is happy at Burnley and his performances for the club have taken him to the brink of an England call-up. But an offer from a Champions League club would be enticing and would leave him with a difficult decision to make.
The Daily Star claim that Antonio Conte has been impressed with Tarkowski’s role in Burnley’s excellent season so far and wants to sign the defender in the January transfer window. The Blues are keeping tabs on the £30million-rated centre-half but face competition from their London rivals Arsenal.
However, Burnley will not entertain any offers for Tarkowski next month as Sean Dyche seeks to build on their remarkable start to the season that has taken them to 7th place in the Premier League.
Tarkowski, who was bought by Burnley from Brentford in February last year, still has 18 months left on his current contract. It is believed that the central defender will not renew his contract with the Clarets as he is in search of a new adventure.
However, manager Sean Dyche would be reluctant to let his star man leave and there is no suggestion that the player is angling for a move.
Currently, Tarkowski is banned for Burnley after accepting a charge of violent conduct following an off-the-ball incident with Glenn Murray during the goalless draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. He has already missed the games against Spurs and United and will sit out against Huddersfield on Saturday.
Conte was reportedly keen on recruiting a defender in January but his plans to sign Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk were punctured after Liverpool agreed on a £75m deal to sign the centre-half.
The Dutch international, who is now the most expensive defender in world football, joins the Reds on January 1 when the transfer window officially opens. As David Luiz’s future at Stamford Bridge looks bleak, it would be wise for Conte to get a solid centre-back in January.