Exclusive: Charlton Athletic agree deal to sign Ipswich Town outcast Harry Clarke after Kieran McKenna decision
Charlton have agreed a loan deal with Ipswich for defender Harry Clarke, sources have told Football Insider.
A number of sides have shown an interest in Clarke, but Charlton have moved quickly to agree a deal for the former Arsenal youngster.
The 24-year-old has been consigned to minutes with the youth team under Kieran McKenna at Ipswich this season, and he will now make the move to the Valley on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Charlton were heavily beaten by Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday, and they will be targeting a strong January to help them drag themselves away from the Championship relegation zone.
Charlton to take advantage of Harry Clarke absence
Ipswich are pushing for a return to the Premier League this term, and Clarke has once again been one of the casualties in their push for success at the top of the second tier.
The right-back managed just seven Premier League appearances for the Tractor Boys during their brief top-flight stint last term, before he was loaned out to Sheffield United in January 2025.
Clarke’s complete absence from matchday squads in the first team this term has made it abundantly clear that McKenna does not view him as a part of his plans, and Charlton are now set to take advantage of that.
Nathan Jones’ side have already added to the left side of their defence in December in the form of free agent Jerome Roussillon, and Clarke is now set to bolster their ranks on the other side of the backline.
The defender’s recent lack of football be a concern for the South London outfit, but they clearly feel that Clarke’s strengths as a player outweigh any potential risk to the deal.
Ipswich to line up a move for Lyndon Dykes after Patrick Bamford failure
Football Insider recently revealed that Ipswich are set to turn to Lyndon Dykes as their next striker target, after they failed to secure Patrick Bamford’s signature.
The former Leeds United man has seen his short-term deal with Sheffield United tick towards its expiry of late, and while Ipswich tabled a fresh offer to the frontman, he has ultimately decided to stay at Bramall Lane.
Nevertheless, the Suffolk side have now got Dykes in their sights, and are keen to take the Birmingham City star on a loan deal of their own until the end of the campaign.
However, the Scotland international commands a significant wage at St Andrew’s at present, and it is understood that Ipswich would need their Championship rivals to continue to contribute towards that if a deal is to be struck.