With the departure of a defender, Middlesbrough maintained their hectic January transfer window finale.
Six months prior to his contract expiring, Matt Clarke left the Riverside in pursuit of consistent playing time. Dan Barlaser is expected to follow him out the door, according to the Northern Echo.
Clarke joined the Rams until the end of the season and has returned to Derby County, where he was on loan for the previous two seasons. During the lockdown seasons that saw Derby avoid relegation, the 28-year-old played with them from 2019 to 2021. Prior to his Boro contract expiring at the end of the season, Clarke signed a contract with the Rams.
Clarke stated: “I was hoping to get out and get some game time because I was in and out of the squad but wasn’t playing as many minutes as I’d like.” Going back and forth to complete the deal takes some time, and it may seem like forever, but it’s all done, and I’m glad to be here. I was ecstatic to learn that it was a possibility.
Barlaser, who has just 18 months left on his Teesside contract, is apparently a target for the Rams as well. In addition to Hayden Hackney and Aidan Morris keeping the 2016–17 Championship winner out of Carrick’s plans, Jonny Howson’s injury recovery would limit the midfielder’s playing time.
Boro is looking for a new midfield player as well. Among others, Boro is reported to want Glen Kamara, a former playmaker for Leeds United and Rangers.
Carrick needs another custodian because of custodian injuries; Tom Glover is his sole senior option in goal. After Rabbi Matondo’s transfer to Coventry City fell through, Sunderland is looking to sign him from Rangers elsewhere in the Championship. Due to disagreements over add-ons, Matondo’s original loan agreement with the Sky Blues, which included a £2 million buyout option in the summer, fell through. It is still anticipated that the Welshman will depart Ibrox this window.
Coventry have made a third bid for Swansea City’s Matt Grimes. The Swans captain has missed only four league matches since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Swansea have identified Swedish midfielder Melker Widell from Aalborg in Denmark as their replacement. Aston Villa starlet Louie Barry is set to move to Hull City on loan, according to Tigers owner Acun Ilicali.
Ilicali told Sky Sports: “He’s going to be with us in training tomorrow. I can say that the deal is done.”
Both Sheffield clubs and Leeds were known to be interested in the former Barcelona man. Championship strugglers Luton Town are closing in on a deal for Thelo Asgaard of Wigan Athletic to aid their survival. The 22-year-old has scored 12 goals for the Latics so far in League One. Aasgard would join Isaiah Jones in Matt Bloomfield’s attack.
Leave a Reply