According to the latest reports from the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur have launched a £10m bid for Leeds United’s upcoming talent Jack Clarke. The 18-year-old has been monitored by plenty of Premier League clubs after his breakthrough season at Elland Road where he impressed in his little cameos.
Something like this happening was always going to be on the cards after Leeds United failed to achieve promotion for another season. The Whites have some talented players coming up from their academy, and none of them are better than Clarke at the moment.
Tottenham Hotspur meanwhile are one step away from winning the Champions League which will easily be their biggest triumph of the 21st century. The club is on an upward trajectory under Mauricio Pochettino, and they can be an excellent destination for someone like Clarke.
However, the Yorkshire outfit needs to make sure that they keep hold of him for another season. Spurs can offer Clarke a chance to play or atleast experience Champions League football, and that can be enough to lure him. However, if the youngster wants to get game time and continue with his overall development, then staying at Elland Road might be the better option.
What makes Clarke special?
With so many injuries to the squad, Clarke started getting chances in the first team when he was just 17. He was often able to make an impact after coming from the bench. His direct approach and ability to drive the ball forward helped the Whites in the attacking third. The Englishman also has decent pace and dribbling skills, and he is already seen as one of the players to watch out for in the next few years. The youngster managed to make 25 appearances in all competitions and contributed with two goals and two assists.
What can Leed United do to keep him?
It remains to be seen whether the Whites would knock back the £10m bid for Clarke. For now, that might seem like a decent sum to the club as Clarke is still in his development stage. However, the ceiling of potential for the winger is exceptionally high, and he can be worth something double or triple that in 2-3 years.
United have him under contract until 2021. The only card which the Whites can play is to get him on an improved contract. However, even that might not be enough as quite a few Premier League clubs are likely to line up for his signature. Hopefully, from Leeds United’s point of view, they will be able to hold on to him for another year.
