According to The Times (report via Hull Live) Championship pair Leeds United and Stoke City are considering moves for Portsmouth centre-back Matt Clarke.
A report from The Times has said that defender Matt Clarke – currently playing for League One sides Portsmouth – is the subject of interest from Championship duo Leeds United and Stoke City.
If anyone wants to prize Clarke out of the hands of Portsmouth, they are expected to have to conjure up £4 million to secure his signature in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Clarke has been a mainstay in the Portsmouth side since he first joined them on loan in the 2015/16 League One season, earning his place in the hearts of fans at Fratton Park. Another strong season with Pompey this season has meant that he has been catching the attention of Championship sides, with Leeds and Stoke reportedly interested.
Clarke has hardly been displaced at all this season in Kenny Jackett’s promotion-chasing Portsmouth side. The 22-year-old has missed just five minutes of League One football, starting in all 39 League One games so far. In all competitions, the defender has played 51 games, playing a crucial role in Pompey’s EFL Trophy win against Sunderland on Sunday.
A move away from Fratton Park could ride on whether or not Portsmouth win promotion to the Championship at the end of the season. The club currently sit in 3rd place in the table, five points behind 2nd placed Barnsley with a game in hand.
The call of Championship – or maybe even Premier League football if Leeds are promoted – could be too much for Clarke to resist, despite his obvious loyalty to Portsmouth, after helping them climb back into League One.
