NEWCASTLE’S hopes of landing James Tarkowski are rising as their two main rivals back off.
Eddie Howe wants the powerful Burnley centre-half to join his survival fight and will make an offer that tempts the Clarets to let him follow Chris Wood to the Toon.
Burnley are willing to take a bid and the Geordies are the only horse in the race as West Ham are now looking elsewhere while Leicester focus on a short-term loan solution.
But Clarets fans, and manager Sean Dyche, will be unhappy to see another of their bigger names slip away to relegation rivals.
Wood, 30, signed a 2½-year deal after the Magpies activated the £25million clause in his Clarets’ contract.
And he said: “I don’t think anyone ever thought it would be triggered.
“You’re only as good as what the club wants to pay for you. If that’s what Newcastle thought I was worth, then that’s how it is.
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“You never know, in six months you could look back and say it’s a great deal and it would all be worth it.
“In that sense, the number on the deal doesn’t bother me.
“I don’t feel too old — I have a lot more to give and am in the prime of my life.”
Swedish right-back Emil Krafth is willing to stay and fight for his place despite interest from Spanish clubs and Kieran Trippier’s arrival.
Burnley are making a move to sign Welsh veteran Aaron Ramsey on loan from Juventus — but he wanted to join Crystal Palace.
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