Notts make 'firm' Clarke offer

Last updated : 27 May 2009 By Jacob Daniel
Notts County manager Ian McParland has today confirmed that he has spoken to the agent of his number one transfer target, Irish striker Billy Clarke. After bizarrely declaring his interest in the former Ipswich Town man last week, McParland has today confirmed that he has a made a firm offer to Clarke's agent, and will be sitting down to speak with the 21 year-old in the coming weeks.

After his release by new Ipswich Town boss Roy Keane, Clarke has been attracting the interest of a number of clubs at League One and League Two level, and now Championship side Sheffield Wednesday. He scored seventeen goals in three separate loan spells last term, at Darlington, Northampton Town and Brentford, and the League Two champions remain favourites to sign the hotshot, in fact Clarke has just returned from a post-season holiday to Las Vegas with his Bees teammates.

However, it is rumoured that Bees boss Andy Scott is hoping to add Ben Strevens to his frontline on a free transfer, which may end any interest in Clarke. Also chasing his signature are Norwich City and Leyton Orient, both of whom are said to be extremely interested in the Republic of Ireland youth international's services.

Despite the interest of club's higher up the league ladder, Ian McParland remains confident he can land his man, and told the club's official site:-

"Maybe it's a long-shot that we will get him if Championship clubs are involved but you get nothing if you don't try. I've made a firm offer to Billy's agent and he knows that we are serious about signing him."

"Hopefully we will get the chance to sit down with Billy in the next couple of weeks and talk things over. If we can do that, I think we will be able to convince him that he ought to seriously consider joining us."

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