Everton are 'looking to blow everyone out of the water' as they aim to lure Burnley star James Tarkowski to Goodison Park, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
Having taken over as the Toffees' manager in January and successfully staved off relegation, Lampard could seek to take advantage of the summer window in order to welcome reinforcements to Merseyside.
What's the latest news involving Tarkowski?
Although Burnley were condemned to the drop on the final day of the 2021/22 campaign, Tarkowski looks set to make an immediate return to the Premier League.
That is because he will walk away from Turf Moor as a free agent in a matter of weeks thanks to his £70,000-per-week contract expiring on June 30.
Everton are looking to win the race for Tarkowski and have already offered a deal worth £120,000-per-week.
The Toffees are not the only top flight club eager to profit from the 29-year-old exiting Burnley as Aston Villa are understood to have made a similar proposal and Fulham are also interested.
But Jones has previously told GIVEMESPORT that Everton are willing to offer more lucrative terms in order to fight off stiff competition.
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What has Dean Jones said about Tarkowski?
Jones believes Everton are in pole position to sign Tarkowski as owner Farhad Moshiri is open to digging deep into his pockets in order to seal the deal.
The transfer insider understands rivals are shocked that the Toffees are willing to hand the central defender such a bumper contract.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Tarkowski is going to be a good signing for someone. It seems to me that Everton are the team looking to blow everyone out of the water, to be honest.
"Other clubs have heard what he's been offered by Everton and are quite surprised."
Why is Tarkowski of interest to Everton?
According to Football Insider, Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell is a big admirer of Tarkowski, so it seems he is the driving force behind the move.
The report suggests Thelwell ran the rule over the two-cap England international by heading to Turf Moor on a personal scouting mission towards the end of last season.
It makes sense that Thelwell and Lampard are looking at bolstering Everton's backline as they had the fifth worst defensive record in the Premier League in 2021/22.
Tarkowski has made 194 appearances in the top flight, so he offers bags of experience and could be crucial in Lampard taking the Toffees to the next level.