MIDDLESBROUGH will weigh up their options before they make a final decision on whether to replace Matt Clarke ahead of next week’s transfer deadline after the defender completed his move to Derby County.
Clarke initially signed with the Rams on a contract until the end of the season, when his Boro contract expires. Derby say they reached a “undisclosed agreement” with Boro.
Clarke informed Boro that he was looking to move this month in pursuit of regular football after sliding down the pecking order at the Riverside. The fit-again Rav van den Berg and Dael Fry are the current starters, with Clarke coming in fourth after George Edmundson’s return. His departure also clears more space in the team.
“I was sort of in a situation where I was in and around the squad but not playing as many minutes as I’d like, so I was looking to get out and get some game-time,” Clarke revealed in his first Derby interview.
“It takes some time traveling back and forth to get the deal done, and it sometimes feel like forever, but it all came together and I’m glad to be here.
“As soon as I heard it was a possibility, I was over the moon.”
Boro are analyzing their possibilities and the market as they contemplate if Clarke should be replaced, but the immediate objective is to reinforce in goal and midfield.
Mark Travers remains Boro’s top goalkeeper target, with Bournemouth due to respond in the coming days on whether the 25-year-old can depart on loan. The move was postponed until third-choice goalkeeper Will Dennis returned to training following an injury.
Tom Glover is Boro’s lone senior goalkeeper after Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng sustained long-term injuries.
Boro are also looking to improve their midfield, with Dan Barlaser increasingly likely to depart before Monday’s deadline. Derby are also interested in Barlaser, and manager Paul Warne has already managed the 28-year-old at Rotherham.
Glen Kamara is one Boro target, and talks with his club Rennes are ongoing, but the former Leeds star isn’t the only one on Boro’s radar.
Boro have also identified possible centre-forward targets, including David Strelec, but will only act if Emmanuel Latte Lath departs.
Clarke exits after 44 league appearances for Boro. He suffered a back ailment that kept him out of action for more than a year, but he returned at the end of 2023 and played a key role in the second half of the season.
He joins Derby for the third time, following two prior loan spells with the Rams earlier in his career.
He’s overjoyed to be back and claims he’s not concerned about the prospect of relegation, despite Derby’s drop into the bottom three.
He stated, “It’s a terrific area to play football; the people are nice.
“I have the idea it’s in a better state than when I last left. Hopefully, I can help the team and club.
“The nature of the league means there’s a long way to go. You want to go for a run and gain some momentum, and it might quickly look very different; that is not something that concerns me too much.”
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