Newcastle United’s Ciaran Clark was a target for Middlesbrough on loan on January transfer deadline day, according to The Shields Gazette. However, the deal didn’t go through for the 32-year-old.
According to The Athletic, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was willing to let Clark go out on loan. The centre-back has now been dropped from the club’s 25-man Premier League squad. You have to think that he would’ve likely have known what his fate was on deadline day, and we think that he should’ve pushed for a move.
The club was okay with him going on loan and Boro were clearly interested. So, what I have deduced from this situation is that Clark didn’t want the loan move. It’s not as if Middlesbrough is on the other side of the country, so there was enough time to get a deal done.
A loan move away could’ve been good for Clark after a disastrous season
It’s been a horrendous season for the defender. The worst moments were a red card against Norwich City less than 10 minutes in and a howler of a mistake against Manchester City leading to the first goal in a 4-0 defeat.
Additionally, when the Magpies flew out to Saudi Arabia for a team bonding exercise, they played Al-Ittihad in a friendly where they won 2-1, Clark was sent off for punching a player.
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A move to Boro could’ve been a fresh start and a chance for him to rebuild his reputation. They’re currently in a play-off position in the Championship, making them one of the better sides in the league.
There is a worry as a loan player that you won’t get the minutes. However, it would be very worrying if he was unable to make the starting XI for Boro.
If he were to impress, he could have then earn himself a decent move away. Instead, he’s wasting his time not getting minutes under his belt. He’s going to provide himself with not very attractive offers in the summer, and I don’t see Newcastle holding onto him much longer.
Clark, a signing by Rafael Benitez, really should’ve pushed for a loan move on deadline day. Boro wanted him and Newcastle were willing to let him go.
It would’ve benefitted his career down had he impressed in the stint away. Instead, he’s less likely to get many attractive offers away this summer due to a lack of minutes under his belt.