Wolves may be restricted to what they can spend in the ongoing transfer window but that hasn’t deterred new manager Bruno Lage from getting active.

They’ve already submitted a bid for Brazilian wonderkid Kaio Jorge but they’re now chasing someone a little more known to an English audience.

What’s the word?

One area Wolves are looking to strengthen this summer is defensively. They will need to improve on their left-back options with Marcal and Jonny out injured but centre-back is also an issue for Lage to fix.

With that in mind, the Old Gold are targeting a move for James Tarkowski.

That’s according to The Telegraph who suggest that Wolves have joined a queue alongside West Ham to sign the defender.

Burnley could entertain offers over the next few months with Tarkowski entering the final year of his contract at Turf Moor.

The Clarets rejected a bid of £30m from the Hammers 12 months ago but he will almost definitely be cheaper on this occasion.

Fixing a big problem

With finances running rather dry at Molineux, this signing would be absolutely ideal for Lage and Wolves.

Not only would they be landing a proven Premier League player at cut-price, but they’d be acquiring someone who would be an instant upgrade on their current options.

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The Old Gold endured a wretched campaign from a defensive point of view last term, shipping 52 goals in the league. That was one fewer than relegated Fulham and six more than Brighton who finished in 16th.

Their clean sheet record was also incredibly poor. During a period from October to January, Nuno Santo watched his side concede goals at will, maintaining a shutout in just two matches during a 14-game run.

Thus, Tarkowski’s arrival at the heart of the defence would be vital. The £22.5m-rated colossus has been described as “exceptional” by his peers and it’s easy to see why.

The 28-year-old, who is now in the prime of his career, is a giant when it comes to aerial battles.

During 2020/21, the centre-back won 4.6 aerial duels per game. For context, that usurps every player in the Wolves squad by quite some distance.

Willy Boly was their best player in that department last term, prevailing in 2.7 aerial situations per match.

Tarkowski is also a prolific tackler of the ball, registering 1.8 successful challenges per outing during the course of last season. That number tops every centre-half at Wolves, suggesting he would be an immediate improvement.

On top of that, he applies more successful pressures on the ball (41.3%) than Boly, Conor Coady and Romain Saiss who are all south of 35%.

The Burnley star has often fallen short of earning more England caps but his inclusion in a plethora of Three Lions camps dictates he is on the periphery of a bigger move. Wolves must make sure it’s them who are claiming his services.

AND in other news, Wolves submit bid to sign "lethal" 15-goal gem, he's an upgrade on Fabio Silva...