Derby County are eyeing up a loan move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Matt Clarke.
The 22-year-old only joined the Seagulls in June but could be loaned out this season, according to a report by Derbyshire Live.
Clarke, who joined the Premier League side on a four-year contract from Portsmouth, could depart for regular game time to further his development in the Championship.
Brighton are close to signing Adam Webster from Bristol City meaning Clarke’s pathway into the first-team may be crowded for his first season at the club.
Derby are in the hunt for some more acquisitions before the season starts on Saturday as Phillip Cocu aims to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad.
Clarke, who can play as either a centre-back or left-back, has racked up 180 appearances so far in his career despite only being 22.
He started out at Ipswich Town and rose up through the youth ranks at Portman Road. He went onto make five appearances for the Tractor Boys before Portsmouth on loan in 2015.
Pompey made his move permanent a year later and Clarke became a huge player for the Fratton Park side. He helped them gain promotion to League One in 2017 and was then part of their side who got into the third tier Play-Offs last season.
His move to Brighton was deserved but could he be on his way to Derby for a year before bursting onto the scene in the top flight?
