Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wants to make a play for Leeds United winger Jack Clarke, who is experiencing a breakthrough season.
The Express has reported that Klopp is keen to add Clarke to the Reds’ squad for the 2019/2020 campaign, even if United get promoted.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side are currently second in the table, trailing Norwich City by two points. Sheffield United are within touching distance of that final automatic promotion place, however, and are only three points behind Leeds.
In 16 league appearances Clarke has scored two goals and has two assists, but has clearly done enough in that time to appear on Liverpool’s transfer radar.
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The youngster was taken unwell during the Whites game against Middlesbrough and had to be stretchered off the bench, but his agent later tweeted that Clarke was fine after spending some time in hospital.
Klopp and the club have shown that they’re not afraid to buy young, local, players and throw them into the side if they’re good enough. Joe Gomez is an example of this, although he was signed by Brendan Rodgers. More recently, Trent Alexander-Arnold has proved that Klopp isn’t afraid of blooding youth.
But with Harry Wilson set to come back from his loan spell with Derby County and challenge for a place in the first team, does this deal make sense? You’ve also got to factor in Ryan Kent’s return from Rangers, who probably won’t be able to finance a permanent deal.
They love the 22-year-old north of the border, and Kent has certainly done well. Enough to earn a place as Sadio Mane’s reserve? Probably.
All of which means that Clarke would find playing time hard to come by if he did move to Liverpool. A smarter move would be to buy the youngster and allow him to remain in Yorkshire for the following season – which would be especially smart if Leeds got promoted to the Premier League.