A player Southampton have long been keen on has commented on his future following his return to action in a pre-season friendly for his current club.
Russell Martin appears to be building his Southampton side from the back ahead of their return to the Premier League this summer.
Of the six senior signings made so far, five have been defenders and the only one who isn’t is 36-year-old Adam Lallana who has returned to his first club on a free.
The £5.88 million arrival of Yukinari Sugawara is the latest signing, with the Japan international announced as a Southampton player on Sunday.
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Now, with the defence sorted, Martin can turn his attention to the forward areas and one long-term target in Jack Clarke has provided an update on his future.
Southampton target Jack Clarke ‘focusing’ on Sunderland
Southampton have long been admirers of Clarke but, whilst in the Championship, it was always going to be difficult to strike a deal for the Sunderland winger.
That is for two reasons. The first is that Sunderland have valued Clarke at around £25 million and the second is that his next step looks destined to be the Premier League.
Following promotion, the Saints could revive their interest in the 23-year-old but will not be alone in their pursuit as West Ham United, Wolves and Lazio all also hold interest.
It is an uncertain time for the former Tottenham Hotspur man and he spoke on his future after Sunderland suffered a 2-1 defeat to Gateshead in their first game of pre-season at the weekend.
Clarke said: “Obviously that interest has been there but it doesn’t affect me.
“I’m still wearing a red and white shirt at the end of the day. That’s what I’m focusing on. As long as I’m in a red and white shirt, that’s all I’ll be focusing on.”
He did not rule out a move by any means though, going on to say: “If things are going to happen then they’re going to happen when they happen. I’m not focusing on anything else other than the present and in the present I’m playing for Sunderland.”
Southampton need additions in wide areas
Clarke scored 15 goals in the Championship last season and assisted a further four, so it is easy to see why he is on the radar of top flight clubs.
Martin’s need for reinforcements in wide areas is becoming increasingly pressing however, as currently Kamaldeen Sulemana and Samuel Edozie are the only senior wingers available to the Saints boss.
Last season, Ryan Fraser and David Brooks were both loaned in to bolster the wide options and, whilst Fraser is expected to return, Brooks’ future looks to lie elsewhere.
Adam Armstrong played wide for the bulk of last season and is likely to do so again in the Premier League but Southampton still look very light on the flanks.
Clarke is ready for the top flight after a move to Spurs as an 18-year-old proved too soon and former Arsenal player Adrian Clarke spoke on the talents of the Sunderland man on the ‘What the EFL!?’ podcast early last season.
Clarke said: “Jack Clarke is unplayable. When he’s in this form, he looks like a Premier League star. It’s someone who is playing in the wrong division.”
Therefore, it would be no surprise to see the St Mary’s club intensify their interest in Clarke once more and then target at least one more winger before the season begins.