Sheffield United's chance of luring Leeds United academy product Jack Clarke from Ipswich Town rated
Sheffield United's chance of luring Leeds United academy product Jack Clarke from Ipswich Town rated
The chance of Ipswich Town allowing former Leeds United winger Jack Clarke to join Sheffield United has been downplayed.
Sheffield United were linked with the jet-heeled 25-year-old ahead of the last winter window, when they still harboured promotion ambitions.
A move back to Yorkshire did not materialise and he helped the Tractor Boys seal a return to the top flight with a 16-goal haul. Sheffield United, meanwhile, lost momentum and saw their faint promotion hopes fade completely.
Jack Clarke latest after Sheffield United link
The Star have suggested Clarke could again be a target for the Blades, with the former England youth international thought to be among the many players of interest.
The left flank is believed to be an area of focus for the Blades, who have had to use Gustavo Hamer out wide on a number of occasions.
Clarke would certainly provide a threat from the left and it has been suggested Sheffield United could pounce if he is made available for a loan move.
However, the East Anglian Daily Times have suggested the chance of Ipswich letting Clarke go is incredibly slim and a Championship-record fee would likely be required.
Clarke would indeed be an ambitious target and it is for this reason Sheffield United will have other names on their list of potential targets.
Among those to have been mooted as a potential option is Aston Villa’s Lewis Dobbin, who has dazzled on loan in the Championship with Preston North End.
However, if Clarke finds opportunities limited in the Premier League, a return to the second tier is not something many would be quick to rule out.
Jack Clarke’s path from Leeds United to Ipswich Town
The Yorkshireman was given his break by Leeds during the 2018/19 season, having made rapid progress through the club’s youth ranks.
He enjoyed some promising outings while Marcelo Bielsa was at the helm before being lured away by Tottenham Hotspur in 2019. A loan move back to Leeds did not work out, nor did temporary stints at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City.
Sunderland eventually gave Clarke a new lease of life and tied him to a permanent deal after he impressed as a loanee at the Stadium of Light.
Ipswich secured his signature in the summer of 2024, forking out a fee reported to be worth £15m with £5m of add-ons included in the deal.