Sheffield United are fighting Aston Villa for promotion to the Premier League.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is seeking a new striker in January after revealing he could be without last season’s Jonathan Kodjia for “months”.
On current form, there is one obvious candidate – and signing him could have additional benefits for Villa, potentially weakening a rival for promotion.
Leon Clarke is now the Championship’s highest scorer this season, after hitting his 10th, 11th and 12th goals in Sheffield United’s 5-4 defeat against Fulham on Tuesday.
And he is already four goals better off than in his previous best campaign at this level – with United’s local rivals Sheffield Wednesday in 2008-09 – a feat made all the more remarkable by the fact he’s spent much of the past six campaigns in leagues One and Two.
Though not as quick as Kodjia, Clarke’s lethal finishing and smart hold-up play suggest he’d be a good fit to cover the Ivorian’s absence.
But with Sheffield United themselves flying until Tuesday’s setback – they’re still third in the standings, four points better off than Villa below them – Clarke would have little incentive to leave Bramall Lane.
His 33rd birthday is three months away, however, and he will know that should Aston Villa come in for him – of which there is no evidence to suggest will be the case at this stage – there may never be a better opportunity for him to play for one of England’s truly big clubs.
Sheffield United certainly wouldn’t want to lose Clarke – who cost them a mere £50,000 16 months ago and is under contract until 2019 – but may find it difficult to stand in his way should he express a desire to leave, while Chris Wilder, of all managers, would surely be wary of keeping an unhappy player around.
Villa’s financial situation – Bruce had to wheel and deal to stay within the EFL’s FFP guidelines during the summer transfer window – could limit their options. But Clarke, who hails from nearby Wolverhampton, could be worth splashing out for – and may be cheaper than most anyway, given his age.
Should Aston Villa move for Sheffield United’s Leon Clarke?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
