Southampton still have plenty of work to do in the Championship promotion race between now and the end of the season.
The Saints are currently 4th in the standings, two points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
That comes after a 2-1 defeat to Hull City at St Mary’s on Tuesday night, saw them fail to take advantage of their game in hand on 2nd place Leeds United.
As a result, the pressure is now on Russell Martin and his side, as they look to get Southampton back to the Premier League.
However, it seems some plans for the summer transfer window are already being made at St Mary’s.
According to reports from journalist Alan Nixon, the Saints are planning to make a move to sign winger Jack Clarke from Sunderland, when the market reopens.
Such a deal would surely be an excellent one for the club to complete. So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three reasons Southampton should do all they can to sign Clarke, right here.
Jack Clarke may now be Premier League ready
Clarke’s previous stint in the Premier League did not go all that well. Joining Tottenham from Leeds United in the summer of 2019, the winger made just four senior appearances during his time with Spurs. None of those came in the Premier League.
Since moving to Sunderland though, Clarke has flourished. The 23-year-old has scored 24 goals and provided 16 assists in 78 Championship appearances for the Black Cats since the start of last season. That has made him a driving force behind their attempts to secure promotion to the top-flight. Indeed, recently departed Sunderland manager Michael Beale has described the winger as ‘fantastic’ for his performances That came amid further speculation around his future.
Having stepped up in such a way, he may now be in a better position to make his own mark on the Premier League. As a result, he could be a useful asset for Southampton either in keeping them in the top-flight next season, or helping them win promotion to that level. Which of those it is, would of course depend on how the current promotion race goes.
A statement signing from Southampton
Not surprisingly given his form, the Saints are not the only side to have been credited with an interest in Clarke recently.
Reports have previously claimed that the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Brentford are among the Premier League clubs who have been keen to secure the services of the Sunderland winger.
As a result, there could be plenty of competition for Southampton to contend with if they do make a move for Clarke in the summer. However, if they are able to beat those more established top-flight clubs to his signature, it would be a big coup for the Saints that would show some key strength in the market. This therefore, would also go some way to giving the mood around St Mary’s a major boost.
Winger voids filled
Admittedly, Southampton are not exactly short on options to fill the winger roles in Russell Martin’s side at this moment in time. That though, could change come the summer.
As things stand, both Ryan Fraser and David Brooks are only on loan with the Saints – from Newcastle United and Bournemouth respectively – until the end of the season. Once those deals expire, that will of course, mean the club are short on options out wide, if they are not extended.
Bringing in Clarke though, would help to remedy that. The 23-year-old is obviously a player who has the vast majority of his career ahead of him. He would no doubt also be joining a on a long-term contract. Given his ability to play on either wing, that would fill the void left by one of those departing loanees for some years to come.