Manchester United have added Burnley defender James Tarkowski to their transfer shortlist for next summer.
According to the Mirror, the 27-year-old is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target for the end of the current campaign. The boss is eager to sort out his side’s defensive frailties.
United had huge success at the back last season, with their 36 goals conceded the third-best record in the Premier League. United were just one behind neighbours Manchester City and three behind champions Liverpool.
But that form certainly hasn’t carried into the new season, with the club conceding 11 goals in their first three games.
Six of those were conceded in the home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. The Red Devils’ defensive record is on a par with bottom of the table Fulham, who have played a game extra.
Premier League experience
Tarkowski featured in all 38 of Burnley’s top-flight games last season, helping them to a tenth-place finish.
He has 124 appearances in the competition under his belt. His displays at the back helped the Clarets to 34 clean sheets.
But the defender has played just once under Sean Dyche in the current campaign, plus one appearance in the Carabao Cup.
Burnley missing Tarkowski
The centre-back was the subject of interest from West Ham United and Leicester City over the summer. However, a move failed to materialise and Tarkowski has slowly made his way back into the picture at Turf Moor.
However, the speculation has come at a cost to Dyche’s side. They have lost their opening three league fixtures and been knocked out of the League Cup by Man City.
Tarkowski played in that loss and the recent league defeat at Newcastle. He couldn’t prevent his side from conceding three goals on each occasion.
International experience
The Manchester-born defender made his England debut two years ago in a friendly draw with Italy, with his performances for club and country earning him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s standby list for the 2018 World Cup squad.
He joins RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly on Solskjaer’s wish list.
But with just two years left on his current deal at Burnley, Tarkowski looks set to be cheaper of the three options.
- Meet Ethan Pocic’s wife Heather as Jeffree Star tweet continues to puzzle
- Michael McKean aka ‘Lenny’ of Laverne & Shirley pays tribute to Cindy Williams
- Is the Sean Payton movie on Netflix? Where to stream Home Team
- Who is Henry Anderson’s wife Saryn? Jeffree Star tweet sends fans Googling
- Who is OussiFooty? Age, real name and nationality of TikTok footballer