According to reports in The Times on December 21, Arsenal and runaway leaders Manchester City are both monitoring Burnley defender James Tarkowski with a view to signing him next summer.

The 25-year-old has been one of the Clarets' outstanding performers this season as they continue to be the surprise package of the Premier League season so far, and while The Times says he is currently happy at Turf Moor, offers from other clubs could change that feeling.

The report adds that while Sean Dyche won't want to lose the centre-back next month, the Lancashire outfit have shown in the past that they will sell players if their valuation is met and the time is right.

Meanwhile, their top flight rivals West Ham United have enjoyed a recent rejuvenation under David Moyes, and the Scot will already be thinking about potential new additions he could make during the upcoming transfer window.

Defence could be one of the key positions he targets, and bringing Tarkowski to the London Stadium in the New Year could prove to be a shrewd move.

Here are three reasons West Ham should hijack Arsenal's bid to sign the 25-year-old…

They need a young centre-back

With Jose Fonte and James Collins already the wrong side of 30 and Angelo Ogbonna and Winston Reid celebrating their 30th birthdays next year, it is clear to see that West Ham need to start looking to the future and at bringing a new, younger centre-back to the club.

Ideally, Moyes would be looking for one with Premier League experience that is in his mid-twenties, and Tarkowski fits the bill.

The 25-year-old has shown this season that he is a more than impressive performer at this level, and he could prove to be a strong addition to the Irons backline both now, and in the future.

Qualities

While Tarkowski struggled to break past Michael Keane and Ben Mee in the Burnley team last season, he has shown his strengths and defensive abilities alongside the latter this term following the departure of the former to Everton during the summer.

According to Squawka, the 25-year-old has won 93 of the 130 aerial duels he has faced, while he has made 149 clearances, 29 interceptions and 28 blocks in 18 Premier League appearances.

The centre-back has also shown that he is decent on the ball too though, and he has successfully completed five of the seven dribbles he has attempted during the current campaign.

Potential

Tarkowski has been so good this season that The Times says he is on the verge of an England call-up, and having only turned 25 years of age in November he certainly has plenty of time left to develop and improve.

While it may take quite a significant fee to prise him away from Burnley next month given his form this term, the fact that he only has 18 months left on his contract could make West Ham's job slightly easier.

The centre-back has shown that he isn't afraid to put his body on the line for his team, and in that respect he has the potential to be a firm fans' favourite at the London Stadium.

Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.