'It's a lot of money & difficult to reject' - Whelan delivers verdict after Leeds transfer twist

Noel Whelan has claimed it would be "difficult" for Leeds United to reject a big-money buy-to-loan bid for Jack Clarke.

Football Insider revealed at the weekend that there has been a twist in the possible sale of the teenage winger following discussions among the club's hierarchy about the viability of selling him in a deal that would see him return to Elland Road next season on loan.

This comes after Football Insider broke the news last week that Tottenham are preparing a move to sign Clarke, 18, for around £10m.

"£10million right now and a loan back for next season might be a good deal for Leeds," Whelan exclusively told Football Insider. "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."

Clarke emerged from the Leeds youth-team ranks to burst onto the Championship scene last autumn with a series of sparkling cameos, mainly as a substitute.

He has made 25 first-team appearances to date but struggled for game time after suffering from a mystery virus during a draw at Middlesbrough in early February.

Clarke is currently on his first professional deal that he signed when he turned 17 in November 2017 and it runs until the summer of 2021.

In other Leeds United news, it can be REVEALED that the club are to sell a midfielder for a "significant" fee after the Marcelo Bielsa green light.