Sorry Tarkowski – your train has left our station

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