"Very, very surprised" - Carlton Palmer tips Derby County, Portsmouth for Middlesbrough transfer blow | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has told FLW his verdict on Matt Clarke's future at Middlesbrough

Carlton Palmer believes that Middlesbrough will not let Matt Clarke leave in the January transfer window amid Portsmouth and Derby County interest.

According to Darren Witcoop, the defender is attracting suitors from the bottom end of the Championship table.

The centre-back has featured 14 times for Michael Carrick’s side so far this season, with the team competing for a top-six position.

However, he has been out of the side in recent weeks, with speculation mounting over his immediate future.

Matt Clarke transfer verdict

Palmer believes that Clarke is a talented player that Middlesbrough should look to keep this month amid interest in him.

He has claimed that Portsmouth’s recent business also suggests they won’t be in the market for another addition at the back at this point.

“Three Championship clubs are interested in signing centre-back Matt Clarke from Middlesbrough,” Palmer told Football League World.

“The three clubs who are said to be interested in signing him are Portsmouth, Derby and Stoke City.

“He’s been a regular for Middlesbrough, lost his place for the last six games [before facing Sheffield Wednesday last weekend], but he has been a regular for Michael Carrick and for Middlesbrough, who occupy the last play-off spot.

“I think it’s an interesting one, I think he’s a very, very good player, it depends whether Middlesbrough can look at that and say they’ve got enough in replacements.

“I would think it would be highly unlikely that they would sell him at this moment in time, given where they are in the league.

“Portsmouth have just outlayed on another centre-back, Hayden Matthews, they paid £1.2 million for him.

“And they brought in another centre-back as well from Bristol City.”

Carlton Palmer makes Matt Clarke transfer prediction

Palmer believes that Middlesbrough’s play-off position makes it unlikely they will let Clarke leave now, instead suggesting a summer move is more likely.

“He’s 28 is Clarke. He’s played 17 times across three competitions for Boro this season. As I said, his last start in the league was a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United,” he added.

“It’s an interesting one.

“I’d be very, very surprised if Middlesbrough let him go out the football club now, given their position in the play-offs, given his experience, given his ability at centre-back.

“Unless they receive really good money for him, I can’t believe they’d let him go now, I think they’d leave it until the end of the season.

“He has the experience and Michael Carrick has the ability to shuffle the squad, as he is doing now and sometimes players come in and do well, that’s what’s happened and you have to bide your time to get back into the side.

“So that’s probably what Matt Clarke will have to do.”

Matt Clarke can be of use to Carrick

Clarke has performed well when in the side this season, and is someone Carrick should look to keep in the squad for the time being.

While he’s been out of the team in recent weeks, he did make a return last weekend, and the added strength and depth makes him good cover even if he’s not in the team.

Injuries have obviously plagued him for the last couple of years, but he has done well to get back up to speed and perform at a high level.

It should take a significant offer for Boro at this stage to sell.