OPINION
Leeds United are facing their biggest battle to hang on to a coveted first-team star since Chris Wood and Ronaldo Vieira.
Fans will need no reminding that the United hierarchy cashed in on the strike and midfielder, in the summers of 2017 and 2018 respectively, in deals that raised £15million and £7million.
A fee of somewhere between the two of them could be possible for Jack Clarke amid growing interest in the young attacking sensation.
Football Insider report four Premier League clubs are preparing to table bids for Clarke, who only turned 18 in November but has made a huge impact since being tracked into the first team.
It is said the wonderkid’s suitors will watch him in action for Marcelo Bielsa’s side against Derby County on Friday night before tabling formal offers to buy him.
The question is, will the decision on whether to accept the imminent bids go above the manager’s head?
Will owner Andrea Radrizzani, recruitment chief Victor Orta and the rest of the board ignore the wishes of the man in the dugout and look to boost the coffers amid growing fears there is no money for January reinforcements.
Bielsa has yet to hand Clarke his first league start but has used him with great success as an impact substitute over the last two months, frequently introducing him at half time to turn matches in Leeds’ favour.
You don’t need to be on first-name terms with the United manager to guess he would not want to lose the youthful matchwinner this month.
But, can Radrizzani be trusted to stand firm in the face of concerted interest in Leeds’ prize asset?
Few would bet their life on it. One thing’s for certain: fans will be spitting feathers if the club accept a bid and academy product Clarke is sold.