---
title: "Leeds: Whites may hijack Everton’s James Tarkowski move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-hijack-everton-james-tarkowski-transfer-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2022-06-03T20:37:21Z"
modified: "2022-06-03T20:37:21Z"
---

# Leeds: Whites may hijack Everton’s James Tarkowski move

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) may look to hijack Everton’s move for defender James Tarkowski, according to [The Daily Mail’s Dominic King](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10880151/Everton-confident-signing-James-Tarkowski-free-transfer.html).**

### The Lowdown: Tarkowski in demand

Tarkowski, who Sean Dyche described as [‘outstanding’](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15259045.sean-dyche-hails-outstanding-james-tarkowski-battle-places-burnley-side-hots/), appears to be a man in demand with his Burnley [contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/profil/spieler/173504) set to expire at the end of June.

The 29-year-old has held [talks](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12619894/aston-villa-transfer-news-boubacar-kamara-signs-five-year-deal-at-villa-park-as-club-open-talks-with-james-tarkowski) with Aston Villa and has also been [linked](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/tottenham-antonio-conte-could-miss-out-on-key-target-alessandro-bastoni-5cmxqjg6x) with Fulham and Newcastle.

However, it looks as if Everton are winning the race for the centre-back’s services, and Leeds could now look to make a late move for the player ahead of their recent relegation rivals.

### The Latest: Leeds interest

King shared a story for [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10880151/Everton-confident-signing-James-Tarkowski-free-transfer.html) late on Thursday evening regarding Tarkowski, claiming that Everton are confident of signing the Burnley star on a free transfer.

However, the reporter added that the Whites are one of a few clubs keeping tabs on Tarkowski’s situation as ‘they plot a potential transfer swoop’.

[![Latest Leeds United updates!](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg)](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-updates-4/)

### The Verdict: Unlikely?

Leeds are already well-stocked at centre-back with [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leeds-united/kader/verein/399) senior options, and it looks as if their priorities currently lie elsewhere.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398317″\]

[Reports](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/ben-brereton-diaz-fee-set-27131073?1=) have suggested that after the club wrap up a move for second summer signing [Rasmus Kristensen](https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1532313390986715136?s=21&t=HkKMAecRxAA5fjlN46ICsw), Leeds will look to sign a central midfielder, striker and an experienced goalkeeper.

Therefore, you’d expect that a move to Elland Road for Tarkowski is unlikely, however, it could be one to monitor following King’s claim.

***In other news: [Victor Orta now spotted 5.6 miles from stadium of ‘quality’ Leeds target dubbed the ‘new Drogba’.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-orta-and-kinnear-spotted-transfer-target/)***