Burnley transfer news: Ex-teammate claims Clarets are holding player back, Turf Moor flop seals loan move
The new owners at Turf Moor have failed to bring much in the way of activity just yet, but that’s not to say that there haven’t some interesting tidbits of rumour and speculation doing the rounds.
One of the last men that Clarets fans will want anybody speculating about, however, is James Tarkowski.
The centre-back is an integral member of Sean Dyche’s squad, but there have been doubts over whether he will stay at the club beyond the end of his current contract – which expires in 2022.
The summer saw a groundswell of interest in the 28-year-old, with bids reportedly rejected from the likes of West Ham and Leicester City.
With that in mind, the last thing that supporters will want to hear is a pundit espousing reasons why Tarkowski should leave Turf Moor.
Speaking on Sky’s EFL Podcast, however, Birmingham City defender Harlee Dean has done just that.
He said: "I had a great partnership with him at Brentford. I feel for him because I think he's a lot better than a lot of the players with England now.
"He just doesn't get a look-in because he plays for Burnley."
Dean has a point too.
According to Whoscored, compared to the likes of Tyrone Mings, Conor Coady, and Michael Keane, the Burnley man has registered more tackles, more clearances, and more blocks per game so far this season.
In terms of tackles in particular, Tarkowski has made just 0.1 fewer per game than the other three combined.
Based on those stats alone, you would have to argue that he deserves his shot with the national team.
The worry for fans will be that if Tarkowski draws the same conclusions that Dean has, he may start pushing even harder to seal an exit.
Elsewhere, Burnley flop Danny Drinkwater has sealed a loan move to Turkish side Kasimpasa from Chelsea.
The midfielder made just two appearances for the Clarets during the first half of last season before having his stay cut short.
We’ve also gathered some of the latest and best rumours from around the Premier League:
1. Arsenal not put off by Lamptey contract
Arsenal will not be put off making a move for Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey, despite the player penning a new deal on the south coast recently. (The Athletic) (Photo by Glyn Kirk - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool
2. Smith urges Arsenal caution over Bissouma
Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has urged his old club to be cautious about making a potential move for Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma. He said: Sometimes that is the hard part in judging whether they are right for the club. Can they handle a step up? For example, somebody like Emi Buendia at Norwich or Yves Bissouma at Brighton, can they handle the step up in expectation at a bigger club? Some people can, some can't, but you can never be certain until a player arrives." (Sky Sports) (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) Photo: Mike Hewitt
3. Leeds stump up Koch payout
Leeds have paid Eintracht Trier their first instalment of compensation for the summer transfer of Robin Koch. The German outfit had sought legal advice following a delay in the transaction, but the issue appears to have been resolved. (Trierische Volksfreund) (Photo by Daniel Leal-Olivas - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Pool
4. Lazaar gets ready to leave Newcastle
Newcastle United outcast Achraf Lazaar is getting ready to leave the club this month. It is even understood that a free transfer could be in the offing. (TuttoMercatoWeb) (Photo by HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images) Photo: HECTOR RETAMAL