Leeds United reportedly wanted Matt Clarke before he completed a £5 million move to the Premier League this summer.
While Leeds enjoyed an encouraging pre-season, plenty of fans appear concerned that the club are about to let the transfer window close without another centre-back being signed.
Ben White looks to be an exciting addition. But both Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi have a point to prove, and Marcelo Bielsa dropped a potential hint during the draw with Cagliari at the weekend that he could be tempted to play three centre-backs during the coming campaign.
If all three men produce their best form and can stay injury free, Leeds should be in a fantastic position. But United supporters know better than most how often things do not go to plan.
So reports from Derbyshire Live this week regarding Matt Clarke’s availability should perhaps catch Bielsa’s eye heading into the final stages of the transfer window.
It was reported by the Portsmouth News earlier in the summer that Leeds were one of the clubs interested in signing Clarke after his impressive season with Portsmouth in League One. But it was Brighton who would win the race for his signature, with The Sun reporting that the Seagulls could pay up to £5 million for the defender.
Derbyshire Live is now claiming that Derby County are eyeing up a loan move with Brighton prepared to let him go for a year to secure regular first-team football.
Leeds may feel that they are done when it comes to making new signings. But perhaps they should reconsider and make their own fresh move for Clarke in the hope that playing alongside Brighton teammate White at Elland Road does enough to convince the Premier League side to let him join Bielsa’s squad.
It may not be ideal with some desperately imploring the club to sign a marquee option in that area of the field – particularly after Pontus Jansson’s departure – but Leeds surely need to take full advantage of what appears to be a potential second chance to land one of their summer targets.
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