According to The Times’ George Caulkin, Newcastle United have activated the release clause of Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark, with the Irish defender now expected to complete a move to the north-east prior to the start of the Championship season.
Twitter: #Nufc have met release clause in Ciaran Clark’s contract at Aston Villa. Can play centre-half, left-back and holding midfielder. (@CaulkinTheTimes)
Clark came down to the Championship alongside Newcastle last season, with Villa, and could now be making the trip to Tyneside to sign for a club many are tipping to win automatic promotion back to the top-flight this season under Rafa Benitez.
The 26-year-old has been with Villa since 2000, and has been a regular at Villa Park for much of the last four years, but could now be leaving to pursue a promotion challenge elsewhere. He’s made 134 league appearances in total for The Villans, after his senior Premier League debut in the 2009-10 campaign.
However, his opportunities were limited last season and he took the field just 18 times, down from 25 in the previous year. He remained on the bench for a large portion of the season, as Villa slumped to 20th and relegation. Now, Clark could be departing for a fee of around £5 million.
He would be the latest arrival in what’s so far been an expensive summer for The Magpies, including deals for Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie, although the purchases have been offset by the sales of Georginio Wijnaldum and Andros Townsend to Liverpool and Crystal Palace respectively.
