Sources: Sunderland and Plymouth both issue responses to Serie A side after approaches made

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• Via Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Italian giants Lazio have this week failed with approaches for Championship forwards Jack Clarke and Morgan Whittaker.

Jack Clarke has been the subject of intense transfer speculation over the last several months, with the player almost departing the Stadium of Light last summer.

As for Morgan Whittaker, the Plymouth Argyle forward has impressed hugely this campaign with 15 goals and six assists in the Championship with a move away from the club looking likely either this month or in the summer.

With the transfer deadline fast approaching, it seems the Serie A giants will fail in their attempts to land two of the Championship’s hottest prospects.

Lazio’s Championship raid

Sources have confirmed to HITC Football that Lazio, the Roman side, failed in an attempt to convince the Black Cats of a sale especially when they were quoted a fee in the region of £20 million, the Italian side were understood to be some way off that figure.

After their failed attempt for the former Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United winger, they turned their attention to Whittaker, who has also been the subject of strong interest from Championship clubs, but the former Swansea City and Derby County man is committed to completing the season with Argyle.

When Plymouth director Neil Dewnsnip was questioned by Plymouth Live over the future of the Englishman, he was unequivocal in his response.

“Morgan is very happy at Argyle and we maintain our position that he is not for sale,” he said.

Busy end to the window

Despite the two Championship sides rejecting offers for Clarke and Whittaker respectively, you suspect this won’t be the last we hear of interest in the pair.

The Championship has produced a lot of talent that some of the top divisions are keen on purchasing with Adam Wharton from Blackburn Rovers being a big example of this.

With just hours remaining of the window, however, both Whittaker and Clarke look set to remain at their current clubs.