Exclusive:Sheffield United set to revive transfer interest in “rounded” ex-Leeds United, Sunderland man after promotion boost

Sheffield United may resurrect their previous interest in Jack Clarke, The Star has been told, following Ipswich Town’s promotion to the Premier League. The former Leeds United man joined Kieran McKenna’s side for £15m two summers ago.

His two seasons in Suffolk so far have been contrasting, suffering relegation from the Premier League in his first but then helping the Tractor Boys bounce straight back with automatic promotion in the second.

Clarke scored 14 goals as Ipswich joined Coventry City in next season’s top flight and we understand his name is one of many of interest to United as they look to reshape their squad this summer, with an approach possible if Ipswich consider letting him leave on loan.

As we revealed recently, genuine width off the left of attack is one of the priorities that United’s recruitment staff have been tasked with in the upcoming transfer window. United have mostly utilised Gus Hamer off the left since coming down from the Premier League themselves.

But he has been earmarked for a more central role for next season should he still be at Bramall Lane, as he prepares to enter the final 12 months of his current deal as things stand. Andre Brooks impressed off the right and United want another similar threat on the other flank.

As The Star previously revealed, Aston Villa’s Lewis Dobbin - who scored against United on loan at Preston North End last month and could have had a hat-trick - is another player of interest. The calibre of player United are searching for is becoming clear - top-flight youngsters with ability but also, crucially, Championship experience.

The gamble on Louie Barry 12 months ago failed to pay off, with the youngster returning to Villa midway through his season-long loan and later rejoining League One promotion-chasers Stockport County.

But the likes of Dobbin and Clarke would be a step up, having extensive experience of the second-tier and, particularly in Clarke’s case, what it takes to escape it. He came through the ranks at Leeds United before a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

Sunderland later signed Clarke for a bargain fee before selling him to Ipswich two years later for an initial £15m, plus add-ons. Speaking recently about the former England U20 international, McKenna said: “I think he's a much more rounded player, I have to say.

“At Sunderland, he started on the wing and was always top one-v-one, going on the outside. But playing in the Premier League, he’s had to improve the defensive side of his game. He's learned to play on the inside, a bit more as a 10. And he can still play on the outside. So he's definitely a much more rounded player.”