Jack Clarke, a product of the Leeds United academy, burst onto the scene at Elland Road during Marcelo Bielsa’s inaugural season with the club. After his transfer to Tottenham, he was swiftly loaned back to Leeds, but encountered obstacles on the field before eventually joining Sunderland in the north east.
Now, Clarke finds himself in a state of uncertainty at Sunderland, with the Black Cats unlikely to make a late push for the Championship play-offs. Former Leeds player Carlton Palmer has pondered the possibility of a return to the Lilywhites for Clarke.
Despite loan spells at Stoke, QPR, and Sunderland, Clarke made only four senior appearances for Spurs before his permanent move to Sunderland, where he has amassed an impressive record of 49 goals in 105 matches.
This season, despite being sidelined due to injury, Clarke has contributed 15 goals and four assists in 35 games for Sunderland. In January, Lazio’s £15m bid for him was rebuffed, with Sunderland reportedly holding out for £21m, as per Calcio Mercato.
Dean Jones recently suggested that if Leeds were to secure promotion, Clarke would be the type of player they’d target. However, former Whites midfielder Palmer dismissed these rumors, deeming the prospect of Clarke returning to Leeds as unrealistic.
“I think it’s highly unlikely that Clarke will return. First and foremost, Leeds need to achieve promotion. Additionally, there are numerous clubs vying for his signature, and I can’t envision him going back to his former club; it’s just not feasible.”
