Southampton linked with Shamrock Rovers ace
By Chris Hughes
Reports late last night have suggested that the Saints will target Irish teenager Trevor Clarke, making him their first summer signing.
The Irish Sun are reporting that Les Reed will make his first play this summer by bringing in Shamrock Rovers’ young and versatile defender Trevor Clarke.
Born in 1998 he only recently turned 19, he can play down either flank or at left-back. In total he’s played 28 times this past season, enjoying an impressive break-out campaign having joined the Irish giants in 2015. He previously gained experience at Middlesbrough prior to returning to his home country.
However he’s soon to come to the end of his current deal with the Irish side, meaning both Southampton and Sheffield United have been credited with bringing in him as a free transfer.
It wouldn’t make the deal completely free however, as FIFA rules insist that a compensation fee is paid for any player leaving at the end of their contract if they are 23 or under.
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Therefore it’s believed that a fee around £100,000 – £250,000 would be the amount in question for the highly-rated youngster, something that would make it a relatively risk-free investment.
What remains unclear at this point in time is whether he’s a signing for the first team or for the future. Whilst age is never normally an issue in the Southampton squad, his current experience suggests that he would likely feature for either the Under-23’s or be loaned out into the lower tiers of English football.