'Perfect fit' - Journalist drops Everton transfer claim involving 'top drawer' £19.8m-rated tank

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has been discussing the possibility of Everton making a move for Burnley defender James Tarkowski at the end of the season. 

The 29-year-old is out of contract this summer (Transfermarkt), and both Newcastle United and West Ham have previously been heavily linked with the centre-back.

The interest is expected to be ramped up as Tarkowski appears ready to leave Turf Moor as a free agent regardless of the Clarets’ league status for 2022/23.

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Off the back of that, the Toffees have been encouraged to make their move…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke suggested that the powerful centre-back would be a superb capture for Frank Lampard.

He claimed: “For Everton right now, they probably need somebody with a bit of leadership in that backline, someone who can dominate as well and put their head on the line and put it into dangerous areas to clear things.

“So I think Tarkowski would be the perfect fit for them because they do obviously need some defensive reinforcements in the summer considering their defensive record this season. They’ve conceded so many goals, so I think Tarkowski would be a perfect signing for Frank Lampard’s side.”

Signing the £19.8m-valued 29-year-old for free would be a superb way to kick off what is a pivotal summer transfer window for the Goodison Park hierarchy following years of ill-advised spending under Farhad Moshiri.

Boasting 192 Premier League appearances, Tarkowski is a proven operator at the elite level and has continued to impress despite the struggles overall at Burnley this season. So far, the twice-capped England international has earned an impressive 7.17 Sofascore rating whilst making 5.3 clearances, 1.5