Most Saints fans would argue that Russell Martin should prioritise a goalkeeper, striker, and central midfielder in that order, but the manager also has other targets that he is pursuing in the meantime, and as they say, there is no smoke without fire, and with a winger appearing to be a priority, it is natural to be linked with a few.
Read social media about Southampton FC and you’ll see a lot of the same things, which is why we’re not being associated with signings in crucial positions while pursuing other targets.
The answer is that we are most likely looking at all of our choices; we hold our cards close to our chest, but that does not stop others from speculating in the media, and then there’s the good old rumour spread by agents.
So I believe the most recent rumour on givemesport.com could be the latter.
According to this source, Ipswich Town’s £18 million deal for winger Jack Clarke was rejected, and they are now aiming for closer to £25 million, with Southampton interested.
It is unclear how eager they are, and most reports place Clarke’s genuine value at roughly the £18 million the Tractor Boys have proposed.
Clarke was an undeniable success for the Mackems last season, scoring 15 goals and four assists in the Championship. He was a major player in our 5-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light in September and, fortunately for us, missed their 4-2 defeat at St Mary’s.
So, are the Saints willing to up the ante on this one, and how high are Ipswich willing to go? I would argue that £25 million for Clarke, who has never played in the Premier League, is a lot of money, and with Clarke primarily a left winger, signing him would put an end to our interest in signing Ryan Fraser on a permanent basis.
