Russell Martin does not have long left to finalise his Southampton squad with the transfer window set to close on August 30.
Southampton have made 11 first-team signings this summer in their bid to stay in the Premier League with new faces such as Yukinari Sugawara, Ben Brereton Diaz and Mateus Fernandes all exciting additions.
Russell Martin saw his front-line boosted with the arrival of Cameron Archer from Aston Villa last Friday and the young striker was handed his debut the following day in the 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United.
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Despite Archer’s arrival, many Southampton supporters still feel further reinforcements are required at the top end of the pitch but Martin has poured cold water on speculation regarding a move for a winger who many fans are pining for.
Russell Martin claims Southampton not targeting a left winger amid Jack Clarke links
Southampton have been long-term admirers of Sunderland left winger Jack Clarke, with the club priced out of a move for the 23-year-old in January.
Reports on Thursday morning claimed that fellow newly-promoted club Ipswich Town have lodged an initial £15 million bid that could rise as high as £20 million with add-ons.
Amid talk of this offer it was claimed that Southampton remain interested in a move for the player widely considered one of the best in the Championship.
However, speaking to the media in his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference Martin was quick to deny that Clarke – or any other left winger – are on the agenda for Southampton.
Martin explained: “He’s [Clarke’s] a player that’s done very, very well in the Championship in the past couple of seasons.
“We’ve been linked with a lot of players over the summer. Some of them are miles away or I’ve never even heard of, others we’ve had one chat in the building, others we’ve watched a couple of videos and that’s it.
“Also, left wing is not a place where we are really light on numbers right now. Ben Brereton Diaz plays there, Sam Edozie plays there and we have other guys who can operate there. So i wouldn’t say it’s high on the priority list right now.
“Jack is a really talented player. His agent Lee is a very, very good friend of mine and he would know as would I if it was anywhere near to being done or we were really in that race and in this moment in time we are not.”
Martin needs to add a right winger to Southampton squad
There is no denying Clarke’s talents, with the winger scoring 24 goals and providing 17 assists across the past two Championship seasons.
However, Martin clearly feels he is well equipped in the left wing position, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Adam Armstrong both options he did not name specifically in his press conference.
With Clarke looking likely to cost around £20 million, Southampton should instead invest this kind of fee in a player who can operate on the right wing.
Currently, Southampton’s only player whose favoured position is on the right flank is 18-year-old Sam Amo-Ameyaw.
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Armstrong played his best football from that position last season but is not a conventional winger and -whilst left wing is not a priority – right wing certainly should be.