Burnley release James Tarkowski as Everton transfer talk grows

Burnley have confirmed James Tarkowski’s exit with the centre-back’s prospective move to Everton appearing to edge closer.

Like Everton, the Clarets have today announced their retained and released list with 14 professionals departing Turf Moor following their relegation from the Premier League.

Ben Mee, Phil Bardsley, Dale Stephens, Erik Pieters and former Everton winger Aaron Lennon were all on the released list, along with Tarkowski, who Burnley stated had “Expressed his desire earlier in the season to seek an opportunity elsewhere when his contract expires, and he will also depart after more than 200 appearances for the club.”

Tarkowski has been strongly linked with a summer transfer to Everton and is reported to have already undergone a medical at the club. The Mancunian, now 29, joined Burnley from Brentford in February 2016 having started his career at Oldham Athletic.

Capped twice for England, Tarkowski played more than 30 Premier League appearances over the past five seasons.

Everton named their retained and release list with Jonjoe Kenny quitting after rejecting a deal while Fabian Delph, Cenk Tosun and club record signing Gylfi Sigurdsson will all leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of this month.