{"id":564960,"date":"2020-09-07T05:20:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T09:20:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=564960"},"modified":"2020-09-07T05:23:07","modified_gmt":"2020-09-07T09:23:07","slug":"james-tarkowski-aiming-for-the-highest-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/09\/07\/james-tarkowski-aiming-for-the-highest-level\/","title":{"rendered":"James Tarkowski Aiming for the ‘Highest Level’"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a recent interview with the Telegraph\u2019s Matt Law<\/a>, Burnley<\/a> centre-back James Tarkwoski stated that he wants to \u201cplay at the highest level\u201d. The 27-year-old, who believes he\u2019s starting to come into his \u201cprime years\u201d, aims to play in the Champions League and an international tournament in the imminent future.<\/p>\n

His desire to play European football will certainly bolster Leicester City\u2019s<\/a> chances of signing the defender. But, Tarkowski has also been a target of West Ham United<\/a> ahead of the 2020\/21 Premier League campaign. The Foxes arguably have a better chance of securing a Champions League place next season. They will be hoping to build on their fifth-placed finish and go one step further this season.<\/p>\n

James Tarkowski<\/a> Dreams of Champions League and International Football Amid Leicester City and West Ham Interest<\/h2>\n

West Ham Bid \u00a327 Million for James Tarkowski<\/h3>\n

Leicester will need to react fast if they are willing to sign Tarkowski as West Ham have already submitted a \u00a327 million bid for the centre-back<\/a>. The Hammers\u2019 initial bid was just over \u00a320 million. However, the sale of Grady Diangana<\/a> to West Bromwich Albion <\/a>generated funds for West Ham to increase their offer.<\/p>\n

West Ham fans were noticeably angry with the sale of Diangana, who never got much of a chance at the London Stadium. However, the acquisition of Tarkowski would give the Hammers a well-balanced squad ahead of the coming season.<\/p>\n

Tarkowski Feels Like a Forgotten Man on the International Stage<\/h3>\n

Speaking with the Telegraph, Tarkowski indicated that he has been forgotten about by Gareth Southgate<\/a>. The Burnley defender has previously dismissed that the club\u2019s reputation has hampered his England chances. However, a move to a European football-chasing side would certainly help.<\/p>\n

Tarkowski has two caps to his name, but has not been involved with the Three Lions since 2018. He also told the Telegraph that he really fancied his chances of being picked during this international break.<\/p>\n

\u201cI expected to be closer than I was. It feels a bit like I\u2019ve been forgotten about and that\u2019s nothing against the lads in front of me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just felt that I had a really good season and the statistics looked in my favour. I was in the team that kept the second-most clean sheets, so defensively I was right up there.<\/p>\n

\u201cOther squads, I had accepted I probably wouldn\u2019t be involved. This one was more disappointing than others.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>