In this photo provided by the Denver Fire Department, firefighters battle flames at Empower Field at Mile High stadium in Denver, Thursday, March 24, 2022. Firefighters have extinguished a blaze that torched several rows of seats and a suite area at the Denver Broncos' stadium. The fire broke out in the third-level and burned at least six rows of seats in two sections. (Denver Fire Department via AP)
Ipswich Town ‘preparing’ bid for £18m Leeds United academy graduate also linked with West Ham and Southampton
It once appeared as if Leeds had parted ways with Clarke at the correct time, when they sold the winger to Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £10m in 2019. A loan return to Elland Road did not work out, nor did temporary stints at Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City.
However, the York-born attacker and thrived at the Stadium of Light. After an initial loan spell, his move was made permanent and he has scored 27 goals in 112 appearances for the Black Cats.
According to the i, newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich are preparing to lodge a bid. Clarke is said to be valued at £18m, with his former club Tottenham due a significant slice of any fee pocketed for him.
They are believed to have negotiated a 40 per cent sell-on fee, meaning Sunderland would not feel the full financial benefit of selling the coveted attacking outlet.
On the recruitment front, Sunderland have been linked with another former Leeds winger. Ian Poveda appears to be closing in on a move to the Stadium of Light, following the emergence of a picture seemingly showing him posing with a Black Cats scarf.
Southampton had really lacked an identity until Russell Martin walked through the door, with his modern and proactive philosophy getting them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Ralph Hasenhüttl had his ‘heavy metal’ style of football in the beginning, while Nathan Jones, and then Ruben Selles, failed to implement a philosophy anywhere near as clear and, subsequently, contributed in the club’s relegation.
However, after poaching Martin from Swansea ahead of their first season in the Championship for 11 years, the 38-year-old reinvigorated a side that looked depleted and had lost all hope.
However, the Premier League is a whole different kettle of fish compared to the Championship and as we have seen many times before, particularly among the sides who play in a similar fashion, it might be a step too far given the gulf in quality.
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