---
title: "Aston Villa: James Tarkowski unlikely to join"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-james-tarkowski-transfer-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2022-05-28T10:10:50Z"
modified: "2022-05-28T10:10:50Z"
---

# Aston Villa: James Tarkowski unlikely to join

**[Aston Villa](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/) are now unlikely to sign James Tarkowski on a free transfer, with Everton leading the race for his services, according to [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/05/27/aston-villa-target-luis-suarez-steven-gerrard-revolution-gathers/).**

### The Lowdown: Carlos deal

The club haven’t wasted any time in backing Steven Gerrard ahead of his first full season in charge. A permanent move for [Philippe Coutinho](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/12/villa-announce-philippe-coutinho-signing/) has already been wrapped up, as has a deal for midfielder [Boubacar Kamara](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/23/villa-announce-boubacar-kamara-signing/), who will officially become a Villa player when his Marseille contract expires at the end of June.

[Aston Villa latest updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/aston-villa-latest-updates-2/)

Villa have also reached an agreement with Sevilla for [Diego Carlos](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/may/26/villa-agree-diego-carlos-/), but it looks as if NSWE are now set to receive their first transfer blow of the summer with an update on Tarkowski.

### The Latest: Tarkowski update

[Sky Sports](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-sky-sports-transfer-update-james-tarkowski/) revealed in the week that Villa held talks with the Burnley star ahead of a possible move.

[Reports](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/villa-transfer-news-carlos-tarkowsk-27061214) even suggested that Gerrard was desperate for the club to get a move over the line, believing there isn’t a better deal to be struck all summer for the soon to be free agent due to his Premier League experience.

However, [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/05/27/aston-villa-target-luis-suarez-steven-gerrard-revolution-gathers/) have now stated that a move to Villa Park is unlikely, with Everton leading the race for the 29-year-old’s signature.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”368552″\]

### The Verdict: Gomez or Bassey?

Although Carlos looks set to arrive, it wouldn’t come as a shock if Gerrard wanted further centre-back reinforcements over the summer, especially as they are now set to miss out on Tarkowski.

The futures of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa are [reportedly](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-summer-transfer-plans-26675697?_ga=2.114921735.1699586530.1649662137-1504247392.1626470296) up in the air, so should one depart, Villa would still be left with four senior options.

Liverpool’s Joe Gomez has been a [long-term target](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-gomez-aston-villa-26946908) for Villa, so perhaps the club will look to explore a potential deal once again with Gerrard currently out in [Paris](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvGT230q190) for the Reds’ Champions League final.

Rangers defender Calvin Bassey is another rumoured [target](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-sky-sports-calvin-bassey-transfer-news/), and after his impressive end to the season for the Scottish giants, he too could be one to watch.

***In other news: [Journalist drops exciting Aston Villa claim involving ‘world class’ EPL star.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-yves-bissouma-transfer-gossip/)***