Tarky’s offer of new Latics deal

JAMES TARKOWSKI . . . further extension to his current contract is on the table for the much-admired Athletic defender.

JAMES Tarkowski has been offered a new contract by Athletic that will keep him at Boundary Park until the summer of 2016.

The 21-year-old defender, linked with a host of championship and premier league clubs including Manchester United and Liverpool, is already on contract until the end of next season after signing a fresh two-year deal in June.

Since coming through the ranks at Boundary Park, Tarkowski has made a total of 87 first-team appearances and scored six goals in three years. Only this season has he has become a regular pick for the heart of defence.

Tarkowski shot to national attention earlier this season when he produced a superb show in the 2-1 televised defeat at Preston, scoring the second of his three goals this term with a late header.

Championship promotion contenders Burnley have emerged as strong contenders for Tarkowski’s signature should Athletic opt to sell their most prized asset in the current transfer window, with Huddersfield thought to have dropped out of the race.



ATHLETIC will give run-outs to a number of first-team players in tonight’s Manchester Senior Cup tie against Manchester City at Boundary Park (7pm kick-off). Striker Adam Rooney is among the men looking to down the Premier League giants.