Swansea City join Watford in race to sign QPR star before September 1st | OneFootball

Swansea City have joined Watford in the hunt for Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter this summer

Swansea City head coach Vitor Matos is looking to add another option or two to his defensive line before the end of the summer window, with the Welsh outfit having seemingly eyed up Queens Park Rangers centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter as a potential option.

According to West London Sport, Swansea have joined the race for Clarke-Salter this summer, with Matos' side keen to add another defender to their roster with less than a week to go until the deadline.

However, they are not alone in their pursuit of the 28-year-old, with Championship rivals Watford also keen on striking a deal with the R's within the next week.

Swansea City face Watford threat in the pursuit of Queens Park Rangers defender Jake Clarke-Salter

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Clarke-Salter has been plagued by injuries throughout his four-year stint with QPR, having joined the club on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022 from Chelsea, having come through the ranks at Stamford Bridge.

The defender would make just two first-team appearances for Chelsea and enjoyed spells on loan with the likes of Bristol Rovers, Sunderland, Vitesse, Birmingham City, and Coventry City before his move to Loftus Road.

In truth, the former England youth international has struggled with injuries throughout his entire career, and whilst he has started both Championship games for Julien Stephan's side so far this campaign, his long-term fitness cannot be guaranteed.

Swansea have joined the race for his services, as Sky Sports News initially reported on Watford's interest in the 28-year-old, with the Hornets having lined up a move for Clarke-Salter alongside six other potential options, including Sheffield United's Mark McGuinness, Nottingham Forest's Tyler Bindon, and Al Gharafa's Mason Holgate.

Why do Swansea City want to sign Jake Clarke-Salter amid Watford interest?

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Swansea were dealt a huge blow in their League Cup clash with Birmingham City at the beginning of the campaign, with Australian international Cameron Burgess limping off in the defeat.

It has since been confirmed that the former Ipswich Town defender has suffered an Achilles injury and will miss the majority of the season as a result, leaving Matos short of options in that area as a result.

The addition of Stephen Welsh on a free transfer from Celtic has provided Ben Cabango with someone to partner at the back, but aside from them, there are no other recognised first-team centre-backs in the squad.

Clarke-Salter, whilst his injury record is far from desired, would offer excellent competition to Welsh and Cabango at the back, and is more than capable of pushing for a starting berth in South Wales.

Jimmy Dunne and Ronnie Edwards are both ahead of the Englishman in the pecking order at Loftus Road, and with his first-team minutes not guaranteed, he could depart before the end of the window.

With just shy of 150 Championship appearances under his belt, Clarke-Salter would add both experience and quality to Matos' back line, and unlikely to break the bank, could be an excellent pickup for the Swans, who will first have to beat Watford to his services.

Vitor Matos is aiming for a strong end to the window at Swansea City amid Jake Clarke-Salter link

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Swansea have had an excellent summer transfer window, and with four points from their opening two Championship games, it has been an excellent start to the year.

Each of Welsh, Joseph Opoku, Moussa Yeo, Elijah Just, Tiago Parente, and Ross Stewart have penned deals in South Wales this summer, whilst Canada international Stephen Eustáquio appears close to completing a move from Porto.

Another defender or two to round out the window would be a dream for Matos, who will be targeting a place in the Championship top eight this campaign, as Clarke-Salter could be on his way.