Exclusive:Sheffield United’s admiration of £15m Ipswich Town man hints at transfer approach ahead of key January window
Sheffield United’s admiration of £15m Ipswich Town man hints at transfer approach ahead of key January window
Sheffield United’s admiration of Ipswich Town star Jack Clarke hints at the calibre of player they are targeting in a key January transfer window, as the process of securing a replacement for Louie Barry continues. Barry’s time at United is effectively over after surgery on a knee issue.
His season-long loan spell from Aston Villa is set to be cut short in the new year, having not worked out for any party concerned. Signed to a big fanfare, he was only able to manage nine appearances for the Blades and recently returned to Villa for treatment on the injury.
In a recent social media post Barry admitted his recent fitness issues have been “extremely hard, mentally and physically” but United could not allow sentiment to cloud their judgement as they look to make the second half of the season a successful one.
The process of replacing the wide man has long been since under way, with an extensive list of potential targets drawn up by United’s recruitment staff in conjunction with boss Chris Wilder.
Sheffield United’s admiration of £15m Ipswich Town man hints at transfer approach ahead of key January window
The Star has been told that former Leeds United man Clarke’s name is just one that features on it, fresh from his seventh goal of the season for Ipswich in their weekend win over the Blades’ arch-rivals Wednesday.
A £15m signing for the Tractor Boys last year, Clarke has featured in all 22 league games for Kieran McKenna’s side this season and also found the net in a 5-0 hammering of the Blades that ultimately saw Ruben Selles lose his job at Bramall Lane.
Victory over Wednesday lifted Ipswich up to third in the Championship table as the halfway stage approaches and given their position, and Clarke’s importance, the challenge to prise him away from Portman Road is expected to prove beyond United.
But it is an indication of the calibre of players they are chasing in the winter window as they look to mount a charge up the table in the second half of the season. Victory over Birmingham City at the weekend saw them go into Christmas nine points off the play-offs, with more than half a season’s worth of football still to be played.