---
title: "Virals: EPL club set to ‘block’ James Tarkowski departure in January"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/11/17/virals-epl-club-set-to-block-james-tarkowski-departure-in-january/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-11-17T17:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-11-17T17:00:00Z"
---

# Virals: EPL club set to ‘block’ James Tarkowski departure in January

[West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/11/17/virals-michail-antonio-nets-wondergoal-on-international-duty/) have reportedly reignited their interest in signing Burnley central defender [James Tarkowski](https://readwestham.com/2021/11/16/virals-west-ham-reportedly-lining-up-a-move-for-ben-mee/).

The Hammers were [chasing the Englishman](https://talksport.com/football/760981/james-tarkowski-west-ham-third-final-bid-burnley-rejected/) last summer before giving up amidst a costly asking price.

Now as the 28-year-old approaches the [final six months of a contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/profil/spieler/173504) at Turf Moor, the Irons are believed to be circling once more.

According to a report from [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-major-update-on-west-ham-and-newcastle-race-to-sign-tarkowski-in-january/), Burnley will stop any mid-season departure despite the dwindling deal.

> FI EXCLUSIVE!✅\
> \
> – Burnley plan to block James Tarkowski from leaving in January.🚫\
> \
> – Club chiefs have decided it's too risky to allow him to leave mid-season.💥\
> \
> – West Ham and Newcastle are interested in the defender.👀\
> \
> – [https://t.co/eNDTW9YvX6](https://t.co/eNDTW9YvX6)[#WHUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#NUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#twitterclarets](https://twitter.com/hashtag/twitterclarets?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/8EvEIJS2Sm](https://t.co/8EvEIJS2Sm)
>
> — Football Insider (@footyinsider247) [November 16, 2021](https://twitter.com/footyinsider247/status/1460578244101500935?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The report claims West Ham and Newcastle United are both keen on adding the [twice-capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/nationalmannschaft/spieler/173504/verein_id/3299) England ace to their respective squads.

This season Tarkowski has earned an impressive [7.13 average Sofascore rating](https://www.sofascore.com/player/james-tarkowski/145188) from 11 Premier League appearances.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

Signing a centre-back to cover for [Angelo Ogbonna’s absence](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/november/09-november/angelo-ogbonna-injury-update) is rightly high on the list of priorities for David Moyes in January.

Having previously championed Tarkowski, returning for the [no-nonsense](https://theathletic.com/2312403/2021/01/11/tarkowski-defending-football-soccer/) Burnley man comes as no surprise.

Still holding a market value of £22.5million ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/marktwertverlauf/spieler/173504)), the reluctance from Lancashire to part-ways with their prized asset speaks of his importance to Sean Dyche’s side.

Strong in [all facets](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/131464/Show/James-Tarkowski) of defending, Tarkowski would come to the London Stadium as a ready-made operator.