The final day of the Premier League season saw Leeds United grasp safety at Burnley’s expense, with the Clarets heading back into the EFL ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Leeds are now planning for a third season in the top-flight, with Jesse Marsch reshaping the squad he inherited from Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.
Brenden Aaronson is through the door and others are expected to follow before the season’s start. Naturally, others will be moving on and it’d be little surprise if there were some high-profile departures.
Focusing on incomings, Leeds have been credited with an interest in James Tarkowski of Burnley, as per the Daily Mail, with the Whites said to be keen on the centre-back.
Tarkowski has been brilliant for Burnley over the years in the Premier League and will be a decent addition for plenty of top-flight clubs.
Yet, we outline here why we don’t feel the 29-year-old would be a good signing at Elland Road:
Not a priority position
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Diego Llorente of Leeds United applauds their fans after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leeds United at Emirates Stadium on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Looking at Leeds’ squad right now, centre-back is one of the positions that simply doesn’t need strengthening this summer.
You’ve got Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk and Leo Hjelde at left centre-back options, with Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Charlie Cresswell on the right.
That’s six really talented individuals with the right mix of experience and potential.
Do Leeds really need to be looking at adding Tarkowski to the mix? You’d say not, unless one of Koch or Llorente are sold and Cresswell sent out on loan.
One or two of those scenarios might play out and change things, yet looking at the squad as it is, there’s no need for another centre-back.
Do Leeds need another centre-back?
Yes
No
Wages involved
LEEDS, ENGLAND – JANUARY 02: Burnley player James Tarkowski is challenged by Leeds player Joe Gelhardt (l) during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road on January 02, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Further to this report, the Daily Express have noted how Everton and Aston Villa are also interested in signing the free agent this summer, as his contract at Turf Moor expires.
Despite the obvious claim that Tarkowski is a cheap signing on a free, it’s really not the case.
The report from the Express outlines how he could land a ?5m-a-year wage from Everton, which is just under ?100k-a-week.
That would put Tarkowski amongst Leeds’ top earners and, for a position that doesn’t need strengthening, it’s really not worth it.
Leeds United quiz: Is Elland Road’s capacity higher or lower than these 15 EFL stadiums?
1 of 15
Is Elland Road’s capacity higher or lower than Bramall Lane?
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