Everton and West Ham United have made enquiries for Jonathan Clauss but RC Lens will block a potential Premier League switch for the much-admired right-back, as reported by Homme du Match.
There are late-bloomers. And then there is Jonathan Clauss.
Barely an eyebrow was raised when newly-promoted Lens signed Clauss from German outfit Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer 15 months ago.
Not even the most optimistic of Lens supporters would have believed, less than a year later, that the Sang et Or would be troubling the European places during their first season back in the big-time, while 29-year-old Clauss was blossoming into arguably the finest full-back in Ligue 1.
Aggressive, technically-gifted and blessed with a keen eye for an assist, Clauss was named the finest outfield player in the division by the famously merciless L’Equipe too, ahead of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Memphis Depay and more.
Will Jonathan Clauss become a Premier League star with West Ham or Everton?
Unsurprisingly, Lens are determined to keep Clauss at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis as they look to avoid the dreaded ‘second-season syndrome’.
As Homme du Match point out, Lens have already sold one right-back this summer, allowing Clement Michelin to join AEK Athens, and have no intention of letting another go.
The report adds that West Ham have made an enquiry about Clauss, as have an Everton side whose pursuit of a new right-sided defender continues in earnest following the completion of Denzel Dumfries’ move to Inter Milan last week.
According to Kicker, Clauss also attracted interest from Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and 2020 Europa League winners Sevilla.
But Lens are standing firm. They are under no pressure to cash in either, having already sold Loic Bade to Rennes for around £20 million.
“If there are offers which respect the interests of everyone and in particular of RC Lens, we will ask ourselves (whether or not we should sell),” said managing director Arnaud Pouille.
“I do not feel in these players (Doucoure and Clauss) a desire to leave.”
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