Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

Evan Lloyd

Wed 29 April 2026 16:15, UK

Follow us on Google Discover

Leeds United let Jack Clarke go for just £10million in 2019, and they could be ready to correct that mistake this summer.

The winger has enjoyed a superb season for Ipswich Town, scoring 16 goals and providing an assist in 45 Championship appearances and just 23 starts.

Clarke scored on Tuesday night to make it 2-2 against Southampton, leaving the Tractor Boys in a position from which they will be promoted if they beat QPR on the final day.

Defeat could see them fall down as far as fourth, with Millwall and Middlesbrough breathing down their necks.

Leeds transfer chiefs will be watching with keen interest as they weigh up a summer move for Clarke.

Leeds United to watch Championship proceedings

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider last week that Leeds will make four key signings this summer, amid hopes to establish themselves in the Premier League.

The Whites are close to confirming their safety in the top flight this season, and will look to strengthen significantly ahead of next season.

There are a number of Championship products of interest to several clubs hoping to do the same, and Clarke is undoubtedly among them.

The 25-year-old’s career has been revived in recent years, after it had stagnated in North London. The England youth international had barely broken through before he was signed by Tottenham in 2019 and loaned back.

Clarke’s return to Leeds was nightmarish, and he went to QPR after just three appearances in six months, but he rarely played there either.

His career would not really get back on track until, following a positive loan spell, he was signed permanently by Sunderland in 2022.

After two strong seasons at the Stadium of Light, Ipswich spent £20m to sign him and have now reaped the rewards.

Should they fail to go up, however, they may well be set to lose hold of Clarke once more, with a return to his boyhood club a possibility.

Clarke shares Leeds ‘childhood dream’

There were links that suggested that Leeds wanted to re-sign Clarke in 2024, before he eventually signed for Ipswich.

The winger remains a boyhood Leeds fan, and would be welcomed back with open arms at Elland Road. Speaking on his loan return in 2019, he said: “It was a matter of not feeling like I deserved to go after the way we finished the season. I felt like it wasn’t right for me to go.

“I feel like we’ve got a job to do. We feel like we let a lot of people down last season and we’ve got to put it right this year. It would mean everything to me to get this club back to the Premier League.

“It would be a childhood dream. Last year it was obviously a lot easier being an unknown prospect with people not knowing how I play. This year everyone knows what I’m about and what I like to do.”

Clarke could achieve that childhood dream this summer, should the right pieces fall into place.