Danny Mills believes that Leeds United should sell promising winger Jack Clarke this summer to release funds to strengthen the squad for next season.
Marcelo Bielsa will be looking to strengthen his squad during the transfer window, after the Whites just missed out on promotion to the Premier League, which could mean there might not be significant funds to spend this summer, meaning the Argentine might have to sell some players to raise funds.
Mills has suggested that the club should look to cash in on Clarke if they receive a high enough fee, rather than having to sell key players such as Kalvin Phillips, Pontus Jansson and Kemar Roofe this summer.
“For Leeds to get back in the Premier League. The one to let go is Clarke. Much as Leeds fans want to keep him and you don’t want to lose your best young players, he is the easiest one to replace with a loan signing,” Mills told the Football Insider.
“That’s the way I’d look at it. I’d sell Jack Clarke for £12million and bring in three quality signings, whether permanent or a top loan signing requiring a bid fee.”
OPINION
Mills is probably right to suggest that it would be better for Leeds’ promotion prospects next season were they to sell Clarke, rather than other key players in their squad this summer. However, in the long run it could be better to retain the winger’s services with the chances of him developing further under Bielsa’s coaching next term, which could even mean his value increases even more. Leeds, as Mills, suggests will be needing to sell some of their assets this summer if they want to invest in their squad in a bid to earn promotion next season. It will therefore be interesting to see who the Whites opt to allow to leave, with much obviously depending on which players other club’s are looking to sign. Were Leeds to do as Mills suggests and sell Clarke they would have the funds needed to allow Bielsa to go out and strengthen his squad, with the Argentine needing more options to call upon, if he is going to be able to take the club a step further than this season and back to the Premier League.