Jack Clarke had a season of two halves after he broke into the senior Leeds team under Marcelo Bielsa.
The 18-year-old was brilliant when he was unleashed at Elland Road, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a run of 13 consecutive games that saw him make four starts.
His underlying stats might not have been that impressive – Clarke only had 0.8 shots per game and 0.7 key passes per game according to WhoScored – but he played with verve and a direct style that meant he caught the eye of some big hitters and Man City were reported to be lining up a bid for him in December after watching him as a youth player.
His form fell away towards the end of the season after he spent time on the sidelines with a virus but that hasn’t deterred all of his suitors.
While the Man City interest has seemingly fizzled out, Tottenham remain in the hunt with a Mirror report at the end of May claiming it would take a £20million bid to land the youngster.
And speculation online hit fever pitch on Tuesday, with many Leeds fans resigned to losing him.
The cause of the heightened chatter? A message from UK bookies Betfair, who refused to give odds on the transfer to Tottenham as the “deal is basically done”.
That was picked up by some outlets, including a popular Tottenham blog, but it’s far from real evidence that anything has been agreed between the two sides.
What’s more interesting is that Leeds fans seem relatively at peace with Clarke going. There are some who think it’s a mistake to sell the club’s best young players but the majority would rather Clarke go than someone like Kalvin Phillips. And others appreciate that Leeds have to sell to buy to get out of the Championship.
Football fans taking the sensible approach to a player leaving? That will be a first.
Here’s what the Leeds fans have been saying:
Clarke to Spurs isnt great but if we have to lose one out of Shacks Kalvin and Clarke then its got to be Clarke #lufc
— JT (@lufc_) June 18, 2019
Only good thing about loosing Clarke would be that it won't effect the 1st team as much as loosing someone like Phillips. Clarke is not an established 1st team player and his contribution has been limited. We would be loosing potential rather than proven ability. #lufc
— Watt The (@WattThe2) June 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Benometry/status/1140986682164043780
https://twitter.com/DareschaniXxx/status/1140985800013832193
Jack Clarke going to spurs as love island would say it is what it is. Much rather keep Shackleton and Yorkshire Pirlo #LUFC
— Cam Burrows (@CamBurrows92) June 18, 2019
Can be miffed that yet another young player in Clarke is joining Spurs but think it’s a move that suits everybody #lufc
— Kaine Greenwood (@kaineg23) June 18, 2019
Obviously I’d rather Clarke stayed! But with FFP to worry about he was always likely to leave and it’s better than losing Phillips! Hope we’ve got a big fee ?? #lufc
— ACH (@ACH2603) June 18, 2019
I've got no objection to us selling Jack Clarke for £10-15m, if its used to get the players in that will win us promotion this season, apart from Phillips, nobody in that team is worth more than promotion. If we get more wingers in he'd be 3rd or 4th choice anyway #LUFC
— Matt Vare (@Matt_Vare) June 18, 2019
Am I the only one who couldn't care less about Clarke going? Pretty sure he's had 3 decent games. #lufc
— RM (@mallin_son) June 18, 2019
Aslong as keep Phillips and get Costa … 20 mill for Clarke who started about 6 games in championship!?? Jamie Shak the main one!!! Watch this space
— Jim Drew (@jimbobdrew144) June 18, 2019