Peterborough United have seen a bid rejected for sought-after Altrincham attacking midfielder Chris Conn-Clarke, according to reports from the Mail Online.
The 22-year-old has had a breakthrough season in the National League, having found the back of the net on 23 occasions, as well as picking up 12 assists in 46 appearances for the club, as Phil Parkinson’s side finished fourth in the table.
In the play-offs, Altrincham’s season eventually came to an end following a 3-1 defeat away to ultimate play-off winners Bromley, with Conn-Clarke playing a key role for Regan Linney’s openers at Hayes Lane.
Conn-Clarke, who joined Alty from Fleetwood Town last summer on a permanent basis following two previous loan spells at the National League club, is expected to be of interest to a number of Championship and League One sides in the summer transfer window.
Speaking after their play-off defeat to Andy Woodman’s Bromley, Altrincham boss Parkinson has made no guarantees that Conn-Clarke will be with the club come the new season.
“I would love to reassure everyone that Chris (Conn-Clarke) will still be with us next season but, in all honesty, I can’t,” he said.
“When a player does what he has done, in terms of goals and assists, the bigger clubs are going to come calling, and it’s very difficult to stop that natural next step happening.
“If he is still with us at the start of next season, I will have the biggest smile on my face you have ever seen. If not, I won’t exactly be amazed.”
Peterborough will be looking to go again next season following their League One play-off semi-final defeat to Oxford United.
After finishing fourth in the regular season, Posh would fall to a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Des Buckingham’s side, losing the first leg 1-0 at the Kassam Stadium and drawing 1-1 at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Speaking on the heartache of missing out on promotion, Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson has explained why they didn’t go up, as well as outlining his plans for the upcoming transfer window to ensure they can challenge again.
“Our recruitment will stay the same. We will be young again. We can’t have a three-year plan and then rip it up after one season,” said Ferguson.
“I felt we could win the league last season, but on reflection, we conceded too many goals from set-pieces and, unusually for this club, we didn’t have a 25-goal striker.
“I reckon the division will be weaker next season, especially if Bolton go up as well, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m not getting any younger, but the enthusiasm is still there.”
