West Bromwich Albion are closing in on the £5 million signing of Brighton defender Matt Clarke with Sheffield United expected to lose out to Valerien Ismael’s Baggies, as reported by the Mail.
Considering that West Brom conceded 76 goals en route to relegation last season – by far the worst record in the Premier League – no one should be surprised to learn that a new centre-half has quickly emerged as one of Ismael’s top priorities as he gets himself comfortable in The Hawthorns hot seat.
And it seems that Clarke – a proven Championship defender who is as comfortable starting attacks as he is stopping then – has got the nod after two loan spells at Derby County.
The Mail reports that 24-year-old Clarke is of ‘genuine interest’ to Ismael.
And West Brom are closing in on a deal that would set them back around £5 million, with the former Portsmouth youngster set to leave Brighton before he has even made an appearance for the Premier League outfit.
Even if, as expected, Ben White leaves the Amex, Adam Webster, Joel Veltman, Dan Burn and Lewis Dunk are all still ahead of Clarke in Graham Potter’s pecking order.
Can Brighton’s Matt Clarke solve West Brom’s defensive problems?
Sheffield United are keen on Clarke too, but signs suggest that the Blades will need to look elsewhere for someone capable of replacing Jack O’Connell, with the stricken defender set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.
The Express and Star adds that West Brom have entered talks with Clarke, although it is uncertain at this stage what sort of contract they are offering.
The Baggies have already signed Ismael’s former Barnsley captain Alex Mowatt, while negotiations are underway to land Chelsea youngster Trevor Chalobah.
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