Leeds United have been linked with former Ipswich Town man Matt Clarke.
According to a report in The Times, Leeds United and Stoke City are planning a summer move for Portsmouth defender Lee Clarke who is rated at £4 million by the newspaper.
The 22-year-old defender has featured in all 39 of Pompey’s League One fixtures this season, and his performances which have reportedly attracted Championship suitors could be of great interest to Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys had Clarke on their books as he came through the academy at Portman Road. However, after a lack of first-team opportunities, Ipswich were happy to use him as bait to sign Adam Webster from Pompey in 2016.
Webster arrived at Ipswich with Clarke going in the opposite direction. Webster has since joined Bristol City, while Ipswich and Pompey could end up swapping divisions come the end of the season.
But according to a report in East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich didn’t allow Clarke to leave without inserting a 20% sell-on clause into the deal – a decision which now appears to be a smart one.
If Leeds go ahead and sign the centre-back for £4 million this summer, the Tractor Boys would be entitled to £800,000 which would be a welcome boost ahead of a likely League One promotion challenging campaign.
Paul Lambert’s side are currently bottom of the Championship table, 13 points adrift of safety with only seven games remaining. Relegation seems inevitable, while Leeds are in the race for automatic promotion.
Portsmouth, meanwhile, are third in League One, five points off second place Barnsley. Their chances of holding on to Matt Clarke this summer may well depend on whether they secure promotion or not.
With his contract expiring in the summer of 2020, Ipswich will be hoping Pompey are pushed into cashing in on him this summer as they could end up with nothing if he walks away for free 12 months later.
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