Reaction to Matt Clarke’s Portsmouth deal suggests Wolves missed a major talent

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Championship giants Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly tried to sign centre-back Matt Clarke from League One Portsmouth.

Portsmouth fans were understandably delighted to learn that the promising centre-back Matt Clarke has signed a new contract until 2020.

Clarke, who moved to Fratton Park from Ipswich Town three years ago, has evolved into one of the most exciting defensive talents in the Football League.

No wonder Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers were willing to take a punt on him before he committed his immediate future to Pompey, as reported by the Mirror (15 February, page 58).

Clarke has been a regular in Kenny Jackett’s side this season, starting 28 times to help put Portsmouth in a position where they can realistically fight for a place in the play-offs between now and the end of the season.

And it says a lot about the Suffolk-born youngster that an ambitious Wolves side with money to burn and Jorge Mendes influencing recruitment were keen to give him a chance to prove his worth at Molineux.

The Express and Star claimed that Wolves, 12 points clear at the top of the Championship, are only interested in signing players who are ready to play Premier League football. This alone shows how highly they rate Clarke.

And the reaction of Portsmouth fans to his new deal suggests that Wolves have missed out on a major talent, unless they are willing to pay a few more million for the defender in the summer.