Newcastle are closing in on the signing of James Tarkowski from Burnley, according to a new report from The Sun.
Eddie Howe wants to be able to strengthen his backline this summer and the report claims that the club are set to make a bid that they hope will convince Burnley to cash in. 
The Hammers have been interested in Tarkowski but boss David Moyes was always likely to wait until the summer to potentially sign him as a free agent.
Newcastle, though, want him now, and are ready to table a big bid, having already signed Chris Wood from Burnley after triggering his £25m release clause.
Tarkowski is a seasoned Premier League campaigner who has been with Burnley since 2016, and he has also won two caps for England.
In total, he has made 175 appearances for the Clarets but the club are currently rock-bottom of the Premier League, four points behind 18th-placed Newcastle.
All that relies on Tarkowski wanting to live in Newcastle also which isn’t guaranteed and Burnley risking their own survival for short term gain.
Well he is available, as are others, so let’s hope we crack on in the next week or so. After all, Villa have bought Digne and Coutinho whilst there has apparently been nobody available to us.