As per a report from The Sun, Premier League champions Manchester City are planning a January swoop for 18-year-old Leeds United starlet Jack Clarke.
The teenage sensation has been on the Citizens’ radar for quite some time now with manager Pep Guardiola monitoring him for the past year or so. And amid reports that they are set to lose Brahim Diaz to Real Madrid on a free transfer, the Catalan manager is keen on securing the services of Clarke as a direct replacement. (h/t The Sun)
Born in November 2000, the wide man has been with Leeds United since a young age and has been a special talent for quite some time now. Clarke was named among the substitutes for Leeds United’s 2-1 defeat against Newport County in the FA Cup in January earlier this year but he did not come on from the bench.
He had to wait till October to make his first-team bow, coming on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes or so in the 1-1 draw against Brentford at Elland Road under new manager Marcelo Bielsa. Since then, the 18-year-old has gone on to feature four more times for the Whites’ senior team.
The Thorp Arch product was brilliant in Leeds’ 1-0 win over local rivals and fellow promotion hunters Sheffield United earlier this month. The England youth international came on to replace Gjanni Alioski at half-time against the Blades at Bramall Lane. He provided the assist for the only goal of the game, finding Pablo Hernandez by cleverly lifting the ball over goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Following the impactful display, the 18-year-old was hailed by manager Bielsa for his performance. The former Athletic Bilbao boss said (h/t Leeds Live):
“Every time he plays he adapts better to the level of demands of the team of Leeds . He doesn’t look like a young player and every time he plays he has the capacity to create a difference with the opponent.
“The action of goal is not linked to his best virtues, his best skills, apart from the fact it was an important point during the game. Every time he plays he makes the difference.”
While Clarke may not have played a lot at the first-team level yet, it is quite evident from his handful of appearances that he is a special talent. Always looking to get on the ball and drive at the defenders at pace, the 18-year-old is blessed with pace and skills and has a keen eye for a pass as well.
He is still young and far from being the finished product but under Bielsa, Clarke has all the tools needed to thrive and establish himself as a regular in the first-team at Elland Road. And that is why Leeds must do everything in their power to keep him away from Manchester City’s clutches.
