West Ham told to almost double offer for major transfer target – Sky Sports
Sky Sports are reporting that West Ham will have to pay at least £50 million to prise James Tarkowski away from Turf Moor.
The addition of the Burnley centre half to West Ham’s ranks is a priority to David Moyes, as he looks to improve the Hammers’ leaky defence.
West Ham initially bid £27 million including add ons for the English defender, but Burnley turned down that offer before telling West Ham they would have to nearly double their offer to sign Tarkowski. [Sky Sports Transfer centre, 11.43am]
It is unknown whether West Ham will go back in for Tarkowski, but Burnley will not want to sell one of their most valuable players to a team they will most likely be closely competing with this season.
West Ham’s transfer business has been the subject of much frustration this week, with the pursuit of Tarkowski looking like it may end in failure, as the Hammers have a severely depleted transfer budget.
The frustration has stemmed from the recent sale of highly-rated young winger Grady Diangana, who has joined West Bromwich Albion for a reported £18 million.
The reason for this sale was to raise funds to spend on other areas of the pitch, such as centre back, but even with the Diangana money it looks as if West Ham won’t be able to sign the players they want.
Club captain Mark Noble voiced his anger on Twitter.
West Ham seem a club in disarray just a week away from the Hammers’ Premier League season opener against Newcastle at the London Stadium.
With the club captain and first-team squad unhappy with the owners, and David Moyes currently not being able to sign the players he wants, it looks like this could be another season of discontent East London.
In other West Ham news it seems that the hammers are unlikely to sign Diangana’s replacement from the Championship.