Southampton look set to reignite their interest in a former transfer target following the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Russell Martin‘s side triumphed 1-0 over Leeds United in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Sunday, with a clinical Adam Armstrong finish the difference.
That win secured a return to the Premier League at the first attempt, whilst condemning Leeds to another season in the second tier.
With the Premier League – and the riches that come with it – Southampton immediately become a more attractive option for any potential transfer targets.
Now, latest reports suggest they could be set to use that pull to try and persuade a player they have targeted in the past to finally make the move to St Mary’s.
Southampton want Jack Clarke this summer
Southampton made no secret of the fact they were keen to sign a winger in January, with the likes of Manuel Benson and Amad Diallo linked before they eventually signed David Brooks on loan from Bournemouth.
Another player the Saints were exploring the possibility of signing at the time was Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, but the fact that the Black Cats reportedly turned down a £14 million bid from Lazio meant a deal was always unlikely.
Now, though, Southampton could once again look to sign the 23-year-old with the injection of funds associated with a return to the Premier League.
According to chief sports writer at The Northern Echo, Scott Wilson, on ‘X’, “Southampton are expected to firm up their long-standing interest in #SAFC winger Jack Clarke following play-off final success.”
According to the report linked to the post, Southampton’s interest in Clarke was ‘always going to be contingent on them winning promotion back to the top flight. Now that that has happened, a formal approach is anticipated which could spark further interest in Clarke, who has two more years of his current contract at the Stadium of Light to run.’
Ryan Fraser looks set to make his loan move permanent this summer, but Brooks’ future is less certain as his loan from Bournemouth comes to an end.
With Kamaldeen Sulemana likely to depart, this would leave Fraser and Samuel Edozie as the only wingers at the club so a move for Clarke would make a lot of sense.
Southampton will prioritise Flynn Downes before Jack Clarke
Whilst Southampton’s interest in Clarke is longstanding, the priority this summer undoubtedly remains Flynn Downes.
The midfielder was integral to Southampton’s promotion whilst on loan from West Ham United and Martin is desperate to ensure he joins the club permanently this summer.
The chances of signing the 25-year-old have increased significantly with promotion, and now Southampton look set to test the Hammers’ resolve with a bid.
Once Downes’ signing is secured, the Saints can then turn their attention to Clarke. However, they are not expected to be alone in trying to sign the winger this summer.
Lazio are expected to reignite their January interest, whilst established Premier League clubs West Ham United and Crystal Palace are all mentioned as clubs who hold an interest in the former Tottenham Hotspur player.
Clarke scored 15 Championship goals and provided a further four assists this season and it is understand that he is attracting interest from top clubs.
Speaking in October 2023, former player Adrian Clarke said on the What The EFL?! podcast:
“Jack Clarke is unplayable. When he’s in this form, he looks like a Premier League star,”
It’s someone who is playing in the wrong division. He had 14 dribbles in this game, six shots, I love the run and pass for the Dan Neil goal, scored himself of course.
“He’s a beautiful ball carrier and watching Tony Mowbray talk about him, ‘unlocking the mystery’, basically saying he’s a bit unique, one of a kind, so he needs to be managed carefully, but it’s the right match.”
With Clarke now entering the last two years of his contract, Sunderland risk losing him for far less than he’s worth so Southampton could well be the benefactors.