Noel Whelan has suggested that a buy-to-loan deal involving Leeds United’s Jack Clarke would be “difficult” for the club to turn down.
A previous report from the Daily Mirror suggested that this is a deal which could happen, after the newspaper claimed that Spurs could lodge a bid of £20million for the 18-year-old.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said that with Spurs keen on the winger but likely reluctant to involve him in the first-team next season, a buy-to-loan arrangement may be the best bet.
“£10million right now and a loan back for next season might be a good deal for Leeds,” the pundit said. “It’s a lot of money and difficult to reject.
“I could see it benefitting both clubs. Leeds get Jack Clarke for another season and Tottenham can benefit from him developing in a team that play in a similar style, especially if Marcelo Bielsa stays.
“He is an up and coming player and it’s difficult to say he will definitely make it in the Premier League. I’ve seen him struggle in games and I’ve seen him change games.
“Once you make a name for yourself, you become a target. Will he play every week at Tottenham next season? No, he won’t. There are too many top players there ahead of him.”
OPINION
It’s certainly an interesting proposition from Whelan and one that Leeds could definitely look at. Harrison -who enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season with the Whites last term after being promoted from the club’s academy – has been a key part of Marcelo Bielsa’s team. In 22 appearances in the Championship, the 18-year-old has chipped in with two goals and two assists, which is a solid start from someone so young and inexperienced. Therefore, it is a no-brainer for Leeds to try to keep Clarke at Elland Road next season, but they could face significant struggles if Tottenham want him. As Whelan suggests then, Leeds should try to get one more season out of him, because he could be a major part of another promotion push next season and the Whites might suffer without him. If he went to Spurs this summer, he is unlikely to be given any chance at all for a good while, so overall this would be a great move for both clubs.