Accy winger Clarke linked with Pompey move: we rate latest transfer rumour
FOOTBALL remains shutdown for now, with League One still at a frustrating impasse.
However, it hasn’t stopped the Pompey rumour mill from churning out names of late.
Last week, the Blues were linked with a move for Arsenal keeper James Hillson. And now Edinburgh Live reports Kenny Jackett is keeping tabs on Jordan Clark.
Certainly, as transfer links go, it’s one on the exciting end of the scale. Clark’s been one of the most creative wingers in League One over the past two seasons.
He’s played an indispensable role to ensure an Accrington side with one of the smallest budgets in the division punch above their weight.
In Pompey’s 4-1 defeat at the Wham Stadium in December, the ex-Barnsley man was a constant menace for Stanley.
In fact, there would have been a few calls from travelling supporters who made the journey to sign him up in the following month’s transfer window.
As Clarke nears the end of his contract, it’s looking likely he’ll move on to challenge himself further.
By his own admission, the Covid-19 crisis has thrown his future up in the air given the precarious environment.
Nevertheless, you’d think there’ll be potential suitors willing to take a punt, after Clark registered six goals and eight assists in all competitions for 17th-placed Accy this campaign.
According to Playmaker stats, the 26-year-old has created 47 goalscoring chances and played 55 key passes. Both are more than any of his League One counterparts.
And when it comes to 1-v-1 dribbling, Clark’s total of 264 is better than any other player in the third tier, based on Wyscout statistics.
If the former Shrewsbury ace was available on a free a year ago then you’d have expected Pompey to have been keen.
However, wingers aren’t something the Blues are presently short of.
Last summer, Ryan Williams and Marcus Harness were both recruited to cover the departure of Jamal Lowe to Wigan.
The duo have jostled for the role on the right flank in Kenny Jackett’s starting line-up throughout the campaign.
The fact Harness and Williams both penned three-year deals underlines they’re in Pompey’s longterm plans.
The Blues’ recent recruitment has not only been about signing players who could impact this season’s promotion push, but also identifying those capable of performing in the Championship down the line.
Then, in February, Ronan Curtis penned a new threeand-a-half year contract to keep him at PO4 until 2023.
Pompey’s prized asset was reportedly wanted by Blackburn in the January transfer window, but he decided to commit his future.
Curtis may well attract Championship sides again if promotion isn’t yielded. The Blues would hold all of the bargaining power if that was the case, though.
There’s also Reeco Hackett-Fairchild to factor into the scenario.
Despite only playing once since joining from Bromley in January, he’s seen as a mid-to-long-term project and needs to be given opportunities to develop.
The 22-year-old is naturally left-footed, which also gives him an advantage as he’s the only forward in Jackett’s squad to boast such a commodity.
If Jackett intends to be in the market for a winger then, as free agents go, Clark would be the ideal candidate.
With all four wide men’s futures secure on the south coast, it’s difficult to see why Pompey may need another.
Should that situation change for any reason then a move for Clark could come to fruition.
Rumour rating: 3/5