Latest Premier League rumours.Latest Premier League rumours.
Latest Premier League rumours.

Burnley transfer news: Ex-teammate claims Clarets are holding player back, Turf Moor flop seals loan move

It's been slow going for Burnley in the January transfer window so far.

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: