Latest reports from the Sun suggests that Manchester City are eyeing a move for young Leeds United star Jack Clarke in January. The 18-year-old winger has broken into the first team under Marcelo Bielsa, and if reports are to be believed, then Pep Guardiola has been assessing his situation since the past 13 months.
The Citizens were even interested ( The Express) in him when the winger was just 16 and had not yet signed his first professional contract. But he decided to snub advances from the Premier League giant and continued his development at Elland Road.
When a club like Manchester City and a manager like Pep Guardiola is interested in a player, then one can be sure that there is something special in the winger. His performance at the youth level has been outstanding, and he often stood out when he played for the reserve squad. We don’t want to be hyperbolic here, but it always seemed like a senior pro was playing in the disguise of a junior.
So it is no surprise that the English winger has found some action in the first team this season and the way he has been going, we believe Clarke isn’t too far away from regularly starting as well. The winger played a crucial role in the Whites’ victory against Sheffield United where he pressed the goalkeeper and nicked the ball off him and then smartly laid it on the platter for Pablo Hernandez to ensure three vital points for the West Yorkshire outfit.
The player might be tempted to join a Premier League side, but given his current situation at Elland Road, Clarke should in no way think about leaving. The young prodigy is getting a regular run in the first team and is gaining valuable experience whereas at the Etihad, the youngster would have to bide his time in the youth and reserve squad for the time being.
The Mancunians already have talented players like Phil Foden, Brahim Diaz and Lukas Nmecha etc who are awaiting their opportunity and Clarke will join the list if he decides to switch his allegiance in January. Give that the youngster had already snubbed a deal to join the English giants earlier in 2017, we don’t see him leaving in January when he is contracted to stay until 2021 with United.
However, it would be interesting to see how much City values the youngster. Our honest opinion is that under no circumstances should Bielsa listen to any offers as Clarke has a crucial role to play in United’s promotion pursuit. Maybe next season, he can turn up at the Etihad but as an opponent, if the Whites gain promotion to the top flight.
