Sunderland Echo

League One rivals Pompey favourites to sign ex-Sunderland target

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League One rivals Portsmouth remain in the driving seat for in-demand defender – and former Sunderland target – Clark Robertson – despite shock interest from Poland.

Ekstraklas­a side Slask Wroclaw have joined the race for the 27-year-old, who is out of contract this summer having rejected a new deal at Rotherham.

The centre-back is involved in a transfer tussle between Wroclaw, Portsmouth, Ipswich, Aberdeen and Hapoel Jerusalem. It is understood Aberdeen have made a fresh approach, with boss Stephen Glass having made him a priority signing.

Aberdeen are in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round but a move to Poland would also offer Robertson European football next season, with

Wroclaw having reached the first qualifying round by finishing fourth in the Ekstraklas­a.

Israeli Premier League newcomers Hapoel Jerusalem have also made a contract offer, with other Israeli teams chasing Robertson.

Ipswich remain keen as Paul Cook looks to rebuild his squad at Portman Road, but Pompey are well placed after Robertson held positive talks with boss Danny Cowley.

Former Huddersfie­ld manager Cowley is shaping a squad to return the club to the Sky Bet Championsh­ip having missed out on the League One play-offs this season.

A return to boyhood club Aberdeen, where Robertson started his career and made 68 appearance­s, does remain an option and the former Scotland Under-21 internatio­nal has already visited the Dons’ training ground.

Robertson has been at Rotherham since 2018 after joining from Blackpool and helped them return to the Championsh­ip in 2019, although could not stop their relegation this season.

Back in 2018, Sunderland – under then boss Jack Ross – were keen on a move for the Scottish defender who turned down a new deal at League One rivals Blackpool.

The left-footed centre back was previously on Ross' radar when he was manager at St Mirren, and was lined-up to strengthen Sunderland' s back line after the Scot took charge.

But despite looking to be frontrunne­rs for his signature for a large spell, Sunderland were pipped to the signing by Championsh­ip side Rotherham United.

He is now set to be on the move again.

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