Dean Windass thinks that a centre-back will be one of David Moyes’ priorities this summer and said that James Tarkowski would be a solid addition.
Moyes marked his first full season back at the London Stadium by guiding the Hammers back into Europe following their best top-flight finish for 22 years.
However, besides Leicester, West Ham boasted the worst defensive record in the top-eight, and even conceded more goals than Brighton, who finished 16th.
Moyes currently has four centre-backs at his disposal, but Angelo Ogbonna is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, whilst Paraguayan Fabian Balbuena will be released at the end of the month.
That leaves West Ham with just three central defenders, but according to Football Insider, Tarkowski would be keen on returning to London, five years after leaving Brentford for Burnley.
The Hammers were strongly linked with the 28-year-old, who Dyche described as “outstanding” after his debut for the Clarets, last summer but were unable to prise him away from Turf Moor. However, with now just one year remaining on his Clarets deal, Moyes could yet revisit his interest in the defender.
And Windass exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that it’s a deal that would suit both club and player:
“I think now with Moyesy signing his three-year deal, he was a centre-half, so that will be his first port of call. And he would be a good fit, Tarkowski.
“He got in the England squad and then came out of it, but it would be a bigger move for him financially.”