According to The Mirror, Leeds United are at risk of seeing Jack Clarke recalled to parent club Tottenham Hotspur in the summer – a move which could interest Derby County.
Clarke came through the youth ranks at Leeds. He made a big impact last season, notably tearing Derby’s Max Lowe to shreds in the 2-0 win at Elland Road in January.
Tottenham liked what they saw and bought the 18-year-old for £10 million in the summer. As part of the deal, Clarke returned to Leeds on loan for the season.
EFL rules, however, state Championship clubs can only have five loan players in their matchday squad. Leeds have six loan players, and Clarke has been the one to make way.
The Spurs youngster has yet to feature for Leeds in the league this season. The Mirror claim Marcelo Bielsa is giving him the cold shoulder, and Tottenham are set to recall him in January.
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How Derby County’s summer window left them light:
The Rams made a bit of a mess of their summer transfer window. Krystian Bielik was an excellent addition, but not enough to fill the big voids left from last season.
Loan stars Mason Mount and winger Harry Wilson were simply too good for Championship level. The latter topped Derby’s scoring charts, and he hasn’t been replaced.
Jamie Paterson was brought in on deadline day. But the Bristol City man hasn’t found his feet at Pride Park. Current first-team wide players Martyn Waghorn and Tom Lawrence, meanwhile, are better suited to central roles.
Clarke, while a short-term fix, would provide a boost in quality. He made 24 league appearances last term, scoring or creating four goals.
Tottenham will probably look to get him another loan should they pull the plug on his Leeds deal. And who better than Derby after the Rams’ success developing youngsters last season?