Report: Player West Ham bid £20m for could be available for free next year, he'll run his contract down

By John Verrall

James Tarkowski is considering leaving Burnley on a free transfer, after once being a top target of West Ham United, the London Evening Standard report.

Bargain signing?

West Ham are looking for a central defender and Tarkowski has been on their wishlist before.

However, the central defender is apparently thinking about letting his contract run down before moving for free next year.

West Ham may well go back in for the 28-year-old then, considering they bid £20 million for him just a year ago (Telegraph).

However, any deal is likely to be difficult to pull off if he is available on a free.

Rival offers?

West Ham will surely face rival offers for the central defender at that stage, given his proven experience and quality.

Tarkowski has been a mainstay in Burnley’s side over a number of seasons now, and his robust style of defending has earned him many admirers.

West Ham may, therefore, consider him as a long-term option but his potential availability in 2022 doesn’t solve their issue this season.

The Hammers are competing both domestically and in Europe and need further options at the back if they are to compete across both fronts.