Southampton may have to spring into action to get a long-term Russell Martin target as Ipswich Town have now tabled a £15 million bid.
Russell Martin has already made 11 Southampton first-team signings this summer, with 20-year-old attacking midfielder Mateus Fernandes the latest.
That looks to have ended Southampton’s pursuit of Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, with Martin now well stocked in midfield with the loan of Chelsea youngster Lesley Ogochukwu also confirmed last week.
The Saints boss will still feel there are more additions needed if he is to keep Southampton in the Premier League, with a goalkeeper the most pressing.
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Southampton also look light in the wide areas and this is expected to be an area Sport Republic look to address before the end of the transfer window.
Ipswich Town submit bid for Southampton winger target Jack Clarke
One player that is very much on Southampton’s radar when it comes to wingers is Sunderland’s Jack Clarke.
Martin was interested in a move for the 23-year-old in January but Southampton were unable to meet Sunderland’s demands.
Now a Premier League club it could be a different story, but the Saints could have to act decisively to get their man as The Times have revealed that Ipswich have ‘offered a package that will include a downpayment of £15 million’.
The report goes on to explain that ‘Sunderland have so far fought off bids for the highly rated 23-year-old and were believed to want a fee in the region of £20 million’ but that ‘Ipswich’s package will include add-ons to take the fee closer to that mark’.
This has also been confirmed by Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie, who posted on X: “Ipswich Town have made bid of £15 million + add-ons to Sunderland for winger Jack Clarke.
“Sunderland are this morning considering the offer.
“Sunderland have turned down previous bids from both Ipswich and Southampton for Clarke this window, but Ipswich pushing hardest.”
The Times also claim that ‘there remains a long-standing interest from Southampton, who have so far not gone beyond making a verbal bid for the player’ and that Bournemouth and Leeds United are also interested.
Jack Clarke would add goals and assists to Southampton attack
Clarke first gained nationwide attention when he completed a £10 million move to Tottenham Hotspur aged 18 after impressing at Leeds.
However, the move proved too soon for Clarke who never really got a chance at the North London club.
The left-winger has proved to be one of the Championship’s best players over the past two years and Southampton could really benefit from securing a deal for the jet-heeled winger.
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Over the past two seasons Clarke has scored 24 goals and provided 17 assists in the Championship, proving he is more than ready to have another crack at the Premier League.
Ben Brereton Diaz and Adam Armstrong can both play wide but currently Southampton’s only natural wingers are the injured Kamaldeen Sulemana, 18-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Samuel Edozie.
Therefore, if Clarke is still a priority in the position, Southampton will have to act fast to beat a relegation rival in Ipswich to his signature.