Journalist now says other PL clubs "quite surprised" at what Everton are about to do

Everton are going “all out” to try and bring Burnley defender James Tarkowski to Goodison Park this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The England international has emerged as a primary name on Frank Lampard’s defensive wish list and Jones believes the Toffees hierarchy are doing all they can to add him to their squad.

Everton might have eventually avoided relegation, but they still finished 16th and conceded a whopping 66 goals, which meant they had the fifth-worst defensive record in the Premier League.

As a result, defensive acquisitions are desperately needed as Lampard hopes to build a backline that can lay the foundations of a squad capable of challenging for a top half place or better next season.

Tarkowski has been identified as one centre-back addition and Everton appear close to making the 6ft star, who played 194 games in the top-flight for Burnley, their first summer addition.

According to iNews, the Toffees are hopeful of completing a deal for the 29-year-old, despite competition from Newcastle, Leeds, and Aston Villa, while Football Insider believe Tarkowski is set to undergo a medical today ahead of a free transfer move from Turf Moor.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “The club are going all out to get him and some of the other teams that are interested in signing Tarkowski are quite surprised how aggressive Everton are seemingly being with their contract offer, but maybe he’s that important to them.”

Ousmane Dembele WILL WIN BALLON D’OR at Chelsea! Hear more on The Football Terrace…

Bringing in Tarkowski wouldn’t be the glamorous name that some Evertonians might be expecting, but after what was a wretched season at the back, this would be the first step in the right direction.

The ex-Brentford man