Back in October last year, just a few days after the Saudi takeover went through, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards revealed that our new owners were keen to make James Tarkowski one of their first signings at St James’ Park.
He claimed that the player himself was ‘keen’ on a move to Tyneside and had a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with Burnley should a club come in with an acceptable offer in January.
A few months on, the same outlet now reports that Newcastle have rekindled their interest in the centre-back; who is out of contract at the end of the season.
James Ducker – The Telegraph’s Northern Football Correspondent – has revealed that Sean Dyche is not only facing a race against time to sign a new striker with the £25m received for Chris Wood, he is also wary of us making a late move for Tarkowski.
Ducker claims that the Burnley boss is ‘concerned’ that we’ll come in with a late bid for the 29-year-old, despite hopes he will see out his contract at Turf Moor and leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
It would seem like asking for relegation if they were to sell their top scorer in each of the last four seasons AND their star centre-back to a direct rival – especially this late in the day – however they may be wary of that ‘gentleman’s agreement’, a hefty bid for a player who is about to leave for nothing and a situation where the player himself pushes for a move?
With us still needing a centre-back after trying and failing to sign Sven Botman and Diego Carlos, this might just be one to watch in the coming days…
