Portsmouth FC and Derby County Go Head-to-Head in Intense Transfer Tug-of-War for Middlesbrough Star-Who Will Come Out on Top?

Derby County is one of two clubs interested in Middlesbrough’s Matt Clarke, with Portsmouth also pursuing him.

Derby are leading the race to take Middlesbrough’s Clarke on loan, according to Football League World, but journalist Darren Witcoop has claimed that Portsmouth, one of his old clubs, is a late contender.

Clarke, a defender whose impact in a Middlesbrough shirt has been restricted due to a 14-month injury hiatus, has made up for lost time since his comeback. However, the 28-year-old has mostly performed admirably for Boro in 2024.

He has become a fan favourite among the Riverside fans due to his tenacious performances in a Boro shirt, and he is one of the most experienced defenders in the Championship.

However, with the addition of George Edmundson and the return of Dael Fry, the former Brighton player will have to fight for a place in Carrick’s starting XI this season, and he may leave the club this month in pursuit of more regular game time.

Portsmouth join Derby in the race for Matt Clarke

The potential of game time puts Derby in a very strong position, with several Championship clubs vying for Paul Warne, who has 14 appearances in the second division this season.

Clarke, a former Portsmouth defender, spent two years on loan at Pride Park from Brighton between 2019 and 2021. He succeeded under Phillip Cocu and Wayne Rooney, winning the club’s Player of the Season award in his debut season.

However, Clarke has spent the majority of his career at Fratton Park, making 175 appearances for the club since joining from Ipswich Town in 2015, when he became an important player. Both clubs are contemplating a reunion with the seasoned defender this month, according to Witcoop:

Middlesbrough could allow Matt Clarke to depart this month

Middlesbrough’s centre-back room is full, to say the least, under Michael Carrick, with the club hoping to re-sign another central defender Darragh Lenihan around the turn of the year with Rav van den Berg returning to fitness.

Clarke may be thinking whether Teesside is the greatest place for consistent game time security, and clubs may be sniffing around him as a result.

However, Middlesbrough do have the option to trigger a 12-month extension to Clarke’s contract, which you would have to believe that Boro will do, even if it’s to ensure they can collect a transfer fee for him should they decide to sell, be that this month or in the summer following a loan spell for the 28-year-old.

Clarke’s Championship experience will only improve Derby or Portsmouth’s chances of retaining their second-tier status. He would be a terrific addition to either team, and he undoubtedly wants to play more frequently during his prime years.

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