The Stoke Sentinel has reported that Stoke City will look to “intensify” their chase for Portsmouth centre-back Matt Clarke if Pompey fail to win promotion to the Championship.
It was reported last month that Leeds United and Stoke City were among the sides interested in Portsmouth defender Matt Clarke. Now, it has been said that the Potters will escalate their pursuit of the Pompey man if they fail to secure a place in the Championship via the League One play-offs.
Portsmouth will have to overturn a one-goal deficit if they want a place in the play-off final, after 10-man Sunderland defeated them 1-0 last Saturday to put themselves in the driving seat for a second trip to Wembley this season.
Clarke has been a star performer for Portsmouth since initially joining on loan from Ipswich Town in 2015. He has played 174 times for the club since joining, making a stunning 59 appearances in this season alone.
The defender has been a mainstay in Kenny Jackett’s side this season, with his strong form earning himself a place in the back four of the PFA League One Team of the Season.
Clarke’s performances in Pompey colours over the course of his four seasons with the club have not gone unnoticed, and he has turned down interest from clubs in the past in order to help the club back into League One. However, with the Championship calling for Clarke once again, could he find it hard to turn down a move away if Pompey remain in League One?
