With news today coming through about Peterborough United’s retained list, it was a shock to see Jonson-Clarke Harris put onto the transfer list by the powers that be at Posh.
Often a protocol in place at the football club when a player only has one year left on his contract – Clarke-Harris fitting into this category – Darren Ferguson and co could well be waving goodbye to their star striker with a whole host of clubs interested in his services now after the retained list was made public.
It’s been another goal-filled campaign for the 28-year-old, netting 26 times for Peterborough United over 46 appearances. One of these strikes was crucial in Posh securing a final day playoff spot, hammering the ball into the net away at Oakwell to get his team up and running. This early goal was the catalyst for a confident final day victory, 2-0 away at Barnsley.
Unfortunately, the playoff semi finals would see his team crash out in dramatic fashion to Sheffield Wednesday – Darren Moore’s Owls reversing a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Posh in style, penalties in-front of an expectant Hillsborough going the way of Wednesday.
That match could well signal the end for Clarke-Harris at Peterborough United, a club that had become home for the 28-year-old. Making over 140 appearances for Posh in total, scoring an impressive 74 goals along the way, Posh’s number 9 had even been given the captain’s armband.
Now, he looks set to be exiting London Road for pastures new. Where will the ex Bristol Rovers man call home next?
Sunderland
Linked originally with a move to the Black Cats during the January transfer window, Sunderland could well reignite their interest in Clarke-Harris after this recent development at Posh.
Sunderland’s attacking options at this moment in time are lacking, Ross Stewart the only real recognised centre-forward option permanently at the club with Joe Gelhardt returning back to parent club Leeds after a loan spell at the Stadium of Light.
Watching Sunderland’s away semi-final leg at Luton recently – Tony Mowbray’s men beaten 2-0 at Kenilworth Road to lose out on a trip to Wembley – the Black Cats could well do with some more physically imposing players to match the skill of their young squad.
Could Jonson Clarke-Harris fit that mould for Mowbray’s side?
Blackpool
The Seasiders could well fancy swooping for Clarke-Harris on a cut-price deal, one year remaining on his contract means Posh might well want to sell their star-man for cheaper than they would like to avoid a free transfer scenario.
It would be a statement signing by Blackpool, Neil Critchley rejoining the club in the last few days reinvigorating a downbeat club after the failed tenure of Mick McCarthy led to relegation.
Clarke-Harris is a lethal goalscorer at League One level too – and with rumours suggesting that Jerry Yates might well leave – Critchley and co might well try to sign Posh’s main man up top to soften that blow and build a squad ready to compete at the top end of the third tier again.
Rangers
Glasgow could well be beckoning next for Clarke-Harris, Rangers reportedly interested in the 28-year-old attacker to add more potency to their team.
Rangers fell short of the SPL title this campaign, not being able to match the ridiculous 109 goals scored by Ange Postecoglou’s Bhoys throughout a terrific season.
The pathway from EFL football up to Scotland is now a well travelled one, with Todd Cantwell succeeding in Scotland after leaving Norwich City behind. Kieran Dowell too has now joined Rangers, Michael Beale clearly keeping an eye on talent in and around the EFL.
Jonson Clarke-Harris could be next in line for a monumental move to Scotland, Beale in the market for a brand new striker especially if Alfredo Morelos departs Ibrox.
Blackburn Rovers
Another potential move up to the Championship for Clarke-Harris could see him link back up with ex Posh teammate Sammie Szmodics at Blackburn Rovers, the attacking midfielder enjoying his first full season at Ewood Park after leaving Peterborough United.
Blackburn are also looking for strikers to add to their squad for next season, with Niall Ennis reportedly already in the pipeline from Plymouth Argyle.
It’s no surprise that adding strikers is a top priority, Ben Brereton-Diaz leaving behind a gaping hole going forward after calling time on his Blackburn career.
With their recent transfer business indicating that they want to sign top League One talents – Szmodics signing and now Ennis imminent – it’s a no-brainer that Clarke-Harris will also be targeted after another clinical season in a Posh shirt.
Sheffield Wednesday
Lastly, this could be a move that is potentially controversial if you support Peterborough United. The raw nature of Posh’s dismal defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in the League One playoffs hasn’t exactly gone away yet, Darren Moore’s Owls now one match away from a return to the Championship.
If Darren Moore’s men do secure promotion back up to the second tier, players such as Jonson Clarke-Harris are the sort of transfers you’d expect the Owls to be targeting to add reinforcements.
Wednesday have also garnered a reputation for being a physical, long-ball side during the regular League One season – strikers such as Michael Smith and Lee Gregory more comfortable and confident scrapping for the ball than playing it along the floor.
Lee Gregory, however, is nearing the end of his career at 34 years of age. Therefore, Clarke-Harris on the cheap as another brute attacking option could make sense even if Wednesday lose against Barnsley in the League One Playoff Final to remain in the third tier.
What are your thoughts on the selection of clubs I’ve picked out that Jonson Clarke-Harris could potentially join? Let me know by commenting below…
