Clarke’s move a step closer
Defender completes his medical with Premier League outfit
MATT CLARKE is edging towards his long-anticipated Brighton switch.
Pompey’s central-defender yesterday underwent a medical at the Premier League club ahead of completing a move.
Negotiations are continuing over the size of the fee, which will represent the Blues’ biggest sale for more than nine years.
However, with a transfer to the Amex now seen as a formality, it is understood Pompey are comfortable with Clarke carrying out his medical with the Seagulls.
Initially a clutch of clubs were interested in recruiting the 22-year-old.
Yet Brighton have long been the favoured destination of Clarke, with new boss Graham Potter adamant he wanted the former Ipswich player as his first signing.
It is unclear when the deal will be completed, although the Tractor Boys are entitled to 20 per cent of the transfer fee when eventually settled.
Clarke has made 175 appearances and scored nine times for Pompey after initially arriving on loan in July 2015.
That stay became permanent in June 2016, Pompey receiving him in a partexchange plus cash deal with Adam Webster going to Portman Road.
During his four Fratton Park seasons, Clarke has established himself as an outstanding performer – winning The News/Sports Mail’s player of the season for the past two years.
Demonstrating significant improvement each campaign, last term proved to be his finest yet – sealing his impending exit to Brighton.
Named in both the PFA and Sky Bet League One teams of the season, the youngster’s talents had become well known within football.
Clarke also impressed in front of the television cameras during Pompey’s penalty shootout victory over Sunderland to capture the Checkatrade Trophy in March.
He was named as the pundits’ man of the match, although The News made Gareth Evans the star man.
Meanwhile, Clarke featured a staggering 60 times in Pompey’s 62-game campaign.
No player in Blues history had appeared in as many matches during a season.
With Nathan Thompson also leaving this summer, it removes two of Jackett’s regular back four ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.
James Bolton has been recruited from Shrewsbury to battle Anton Walkes for the right-back spot, while Paul Downing remains on the radar to help fill the gulf left by Clarke’s imminent exit.
I did have a conversation with Kenny Jackett… but that’s as far as it went as the clubs are miles apart on the valuation Find out who wants Pompey to loosen the purse strings on page 46