According to a recent report by the Sun, Manchester City are plotting a move for Leeds United youngster Jack Clarke when the transfer window reopens in January. The same report has also revealed that the Man City manager, Pep Guardiola has kept tabs on the English winger’s progress ever since he penned a professional contract at Elland Road just over a year ago.
Clarke graduated from the Leeds academy before breaking into Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team earlier this season. The 17-year-old has already made five appearances for the Whites this season and has one assist to show for his efforts. The English starlet has a very promising career ahead, so it is no wonder that some of the top clubs like the Citizens are interested in recruiting him during the winter transfer period.
The Leeds wide man is also quite versatile and can operate on either flank. At the tender age of 17, Clarke has already started to experience first-team football in the English Championship. However, a move away from Leeds could mean that his game time on the pitch would be limited which might hamper his overall development.
Clarke put in his best performance in a Leeds shirt when he came off the bench to set up Pablo Hernandez’s winner in the Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United last weekend. His match-winning contribution on Saturday could help the Whites secure an automatic promotion spot at the end of this campaign.
The English teenager is very quick on the ball and is not afraid to take on the opposition defenders as he can, more often than not, beat them with his pace and agility. Moreover, Clarke is also a very capable dribbler, but he needs to add more composure to his game especially in the attacking third of the pitch.
There is no doubt that the English wonderkid will be a fantastic signing for City as they look to build for the long-term. However, the fact remains that Clarke won’t get any first-team chances under Guardiola unless he can prove his worth somewhere else on a consistent basis.
Clarke will be a worthy investment for City as he could be a world-class prospect in the near future so Guardiola should go all out to sign him in January.
