Like any other League One based 23-year-old, Matt Clarke would surely be ready to jump at any chance to move to the Premier League, and it appears that the Portsmouth defender may be about to get that chance.

According to The Argus, Clarke has emerged as a target for Brighton and Hove Albion, who despite a difficult end to the season, still possess the appeal that comes with top flight status, having finished the season 17th in the Premier League.

This therefore, may seem like the perfect opportunity for Clarke, although on closer inspection, it feels like one that the centre back should think twice about before making.

As good as Clarke is, Brighton have one of the most unbreakable centre back partnerships in the division in the shape of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, who between them missed just two and three league matches between them respectively.

Given the effectiveness of the partnership the pair have struck up, and the fact that both players have four years remaining on their Brighton contracts, it is hard to see Clarke or any other defender break up that partnership, and the Portsmouth man won't have be the first League One stalwart to have tried.

Fresh from captaining Wigan Athletic to the third tier title last season, it was 6ft7in centre back colossus Dan Burn who made the move to The Amex Stadium, but, having spent the first half of the season back on loan at Wigan, Burn has made a grand total of zero Premier League appearances since returning to Brighton in January, with his game time restricted to three FA Cup appearances.

Given Burn has gone from title winning captain to forgotten man in less than 12 months, it is a stark reminder to Clarke that while a move to the Premier League may seem the most appealing on paper, it does not always work out on an individual level.

With a number of Championship clubs also said to be interested in a move for Clarke, the defender may well consider moving to one of those sides and helping them win promotion to the Premier League from an on the pitch position may be a better option. Then it would be nigh on impossible for him not to play in the Premier League.