By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
News that James Tarkowskihas made it clear he is unlikely to be signing a new contract with Burnley – which makes his departure an imminent possibility – has once again ignited speculation that West Ham will be back in for the central defender in the January transfer window.
With bids around the £30m mark already previously rejected by the Lancashire club in the last transfer window the Hammers would clearly need to top that (and some) to get the player we were told David Moyes had set his sights on.
But do we need to be even thinking of joining the bidding again? Or has that train already left the station?
Angelo Ogbonna has carried on where he left off last season – the Hammer of the Year runner-up has once again been in inspirational form for us, while his recent partner at the back Fabian Balbuena appears to have been re-born after speculation he might even be surplus to requirements.
Big money buy Issa Diop is now poised and ready for action again after his brush with Covid-19, should the call come, while new arrival Craig Dawson is said to have caught the eye at Rush Green by the way he has come in and buckled down straight away to the task, impressing the manager among others with his attitude and application.
So what would Tarkowski offer us that we haven’t already got? Burnley were reportedly looking for £50m for their star man – that may have been more out of hope than reality. £40m might be nearer the kind of figure they would accept. But that’s still a hefty price – and is it one we should even consider?
Not in my book! Neither do I believe it’s one David Moyes will even be giving a second thought to this time around. t I believe the manager has moved on from there now. It won’t stop the speculation of course – we all know that. It’s an easy story to recycle, so expect that to happen.
But if there is any money left in the pot for Moyes to spend, and there is no guarantee of that despite stories of ‘fund raising’ and bank borrowing, Moyes would be better served spending it in other areas. Defensive mid-field cover perhaps, where most would agree we’re thin on the ground. Or up front where it’s obvious we have struggled to fill the gap left by Michail Antonio’s injury absence.
The team under Moyes’ guidance have done brilliantly in recent weeks. The manager while no doubt delighted, will know there’s still work to do and gaps to be filled. If there is a shopping wish-list for January, I’m convinced James Tarkowski’s name won’t be on
I’m not sure he was ever stopping at our platform.
There are so many top6 clubs looking for CB’s he’s on the express to one of those.
Thought 30 million was way over the top. Dont need him now. In due course get one of Moyes young and hungry brigade in !
There is now talk about the waste of money being spent having Dawson waiting in the wings whilst we already have a superb back three with Diop as back-up. A lot can change in just a couple of games. James Tarkowski might well be the right option at the right time. Time will tell !!
Meantime I’m delighted to hear of the statue to be erected outside our iconic stadium. All coming together these days. The future is bright.
COYI
I posted this elsewhere – would we want a player who tells his current club that he doesn’t fancy them and that he is prepared to run his contract down
If we are ambitious in Europe we need high quality players, if Tarkowski is available at £25m he is an England defender, Oggy, Diop, Balbuena etc are doing well but Oggy is 32 no idea how long he will go on for, if we get injuries we are light in central defence, maybe the Danish kid is coming and perhaps he is good enough, time will tell but I suspect Tarkowski if available at the right price would be a target.
And what is the right price for a bang average Premiership CB with just 18 months on his contract?
For me, £25mil. way too steep…
Prefer to invest in 2 or 3 young up and coming CB s (Not unlike the Danish fella Alves) and let the coaches turn them into Premiership stars… (Cardoso may come good, who knows)
It may be too soon to start touting Jamal Baptiste as the next Rio, but his future looks bright.
He has told Burnley that he is off so they will naturally want top dollar, so I also don’t think we need him or can afford him. Bring on some young players – Oggy, Bal and Dawson are good now and able to pass experience in the next few years – it’s the West Ham way. Also it shows young players there is first team football to target.