---
title: "Everton: Dean Jones drops James Tarkowski transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tarkowski-everton-transfer-latest-wages-dean-jones/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Will Seager"
section: "Everton News"
published: "2022-06-05T19:45:59Z"
modified: "2022-06-05T19:45:59Z"
---

# Everton: Dean Jones drops James Tarkowski transfer claim

**[Everton](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/) are poised to throw big wages at James Tarkowski upon the expiry of his Burnley contract at the end of the month, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.**

### **The Lowdown: Contract expiry**

After six years at Turf Moor, the 29-year-old’s contract is [set to expire on 30 June](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/profil/spieler/173504).

According to a report by [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3335261/2022/05/30/everton-transfer-news-moving-on-ageing-high-earners-recruiting-leaders/), several [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) clubs are interested in signing the defender. Everton are mentioned in the discussion, but it is understood that Aston Villa are the early favourites to secure Tarkowski’s signature.

### **The Latest: Jones’ claim on Tarkowski**

Given [Everton’s dire defensive record](https://footystats.org/clubs/everton-fc-144) for the 2021/22 season, Jones expects Everton to go all-out for Tarkowski, who has made [194 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-tarkowski/leistungsdaten/spieler/173504) in the English top flight.

Speaking with [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88015747-everton-willing-to-throw-wages-at-219-game-beast-at-goodison-park), the journalist claimed: “From what I understand, they just want that \[their defence\] fixed as soon as possible. With Tarkowski available as a free agent, if it just means throwing wages at him rather than a fee, then they will be willing to do that.

“I’m not sure they would look at it as a massive gamble because Tarkowski has got such a good track record in the Premier League and, at the end of the day, it can’t get any worse – their defending from last season.”

[Everton news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/everton-news-5/)

### **The Verdict: Would be a solid signing**

Judging by his performance metrics from 2021/22, Tarkowski would provide a solid presence in Everton’s back line if he moves to Goodison Park.

As per [FBRef,](https://fbref.com/en/players/15ea812b/James-Tarkowski) when compared with positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year, the 29-year-old astonishingly ranks in the 99th percentile for blocks and aerial duels won, and surprisingly also for touches in the attacking penalty area.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”398130″\]

Hailed by former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as an [“outstanding”](https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/15259045.sean-dyche-hails-outstanding-james-tarkowski-battle-places-burnley-side-hots/) defender, it would be a shrewd move if Everton can sign Tarkowski on a free transfer this summer to shore up their porous backline. If that means giving him an upgrade on his current [£70,000-a-week](https://salarysport.com/football/player/james-tarkowski/) wage, so be it.

***In other news: [Frank McAvennie has reacted to this Everton off-field development](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-duncan-ferguson-news-gossip-update/)***