Crystal Palace have not spent much of the £45 million they received from the sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United, but could spend a small sum of it to buy Newcastle United’s centre-back Ciaran Clark, as per reports.
The 29-year-old defender is a target for Palace manager Roy Hodgson, who wants the Republic of Ireland international to add competition to the centre-back position.
The Sun claim that the Magpies defender could be available for as less as £5 million ahead of the 2019-20 season, while a loan move could also be a possibility.
Ciaran Clark – Profile
Clark has been with the Magpies since 2016, having joined the club from Aston Villa after Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League.
He helped the side return to the Premier League and has gone on to play 67 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 7 goals.
Clark’s current contract with Newcastle United expires in 2021, as he signed a five-year deal when he joined the club in 2016. The English-born player has represented Republic of Ireland 32 times since making his debut in 2011.
Would Clark be a good option for Hodgson?
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has to strengthen in several key areas, following the departure of Wan-Bissaka, as well as the likes of Jason Puncheon and Michy Batshuayi since the end of the 2018-19 season.
Clark could be a useful squad player for the London club as he has several years of experience playing in the Premier League and is a steady defender.
The 29-year old is a good crosser of the ball and likes to play early balls to the attackers in his team. He is also a threat in both boxes with his heading ability. He won a total of 43 aerial duels in 11 matches in the Premier League last season, while clearing 57 times last season.
Primarily a centre-back, Clark can also play as a left-back and provide cover for Patrick van Aanholt in that position.
Palace need another central defender to add competition for the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Martin Kelly, and James Tomkins in the squad.
At the rumoured price tag of £5 million, Clark could be a good buy as he is an experienced Premier League centre-back that would add depth to the Palace squad.