Leeds United spent their share of money in the summer. But the Whites also saved £20million by not re-signing a certain former player too.
Leeds United spent around £30million on signing new players in the summer, as Daniel Farke’s side bid to make a return to the Premier League.
The Whites’ biggest signing was Joe Rodon. Leeds United spent around £10million on signing Rodon from Spurs, with the club also spending big on the likes of Largie Ramazani, Jayden Bogle, and Ao Tanaka.
But the Whites made back way more than they spent owing to several big money player exits from Elland Road during the summer, with names like Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray each netting Leeds around £40million in transfer fees.
Leeds then could’ve spent a lot more. And one player who could’ve been the Whites’ biggest summer signing was Jack Clarke.
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Leeds United dodged £20m transfer bullet by not re-signing Jack Clarke
Leeds academy graduate Clarke shone for Sunderland last season, scoring 15 goals in the Championship and attracting a number of Premier League teams going into the summer transfer window.
Also, Leeds United were linked with a sensational return for Clarke, who eventually secured a big money move to Ipswich Town.
It was claimed that Leeds United viewed Clarke as a potential Rutter replacement. But Ipswich forked out £20million for the York-born winger – described as a ‘super talent’ by former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray – who Leeds had previously sold to Spurs for £10million in 2019.
Since signing for Ipswich though, Clarke has found the going tough. He’s yet to score in 13 Premier League appearances so far this season, having grabbed just one assist.
The 24-year-old started against Crystal Palace earlier in December, marking his first start since October. But Town fans voiced concerns about Clarke’s performance on social media.
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Why Leeds United didn’t sign Jack Clarke from Sunderland
At the time, there were a number of teams linked with Clarke. And Sunderland wanted a hefty amount because Spurs were owed a significant portion of the sell-on fee.
It was reported at the time that Leeds United didn’t want to pay £20million for Clarke, nor for just the one player, despite having made several tens of millions in player sales during the summer transfer window.
All in all, Clarke returning to Elland Road never looked like a very realistic move, nor a fruitful one for Clarke who was deserving of a Premier League move in the summer.
Leeds return to Championship action against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
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