QPR set to muscle Derby and Forest out of race for £9m Spurs man

Harry McMullen
Jack-Clarke-Leeds-United-Tottenham-Loan

Queens Park Rangers are reportedly sat in prime position to sign Tottenham winger Jack Clarke on loan amid claims that Spurs have insisted the winger stays in the capital. 

Rangers are among a host of Championship clubs interested in taking Clarke on loan for the remainder of the season and Spurs’ preference on the winger’s next location gives the Hoops a great chance.

According to the Daily Star, the forward wanted a loan move back north in order to stay close to family but Tottenham have made their stance clear on Clarke’s next location.

Reports suggest, player and club have had disagreements over the location of the loan – with the club wanting the winger to acclimatise to life in London ahead of a possible future at Spurs.

The 19-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Leeds United – the club where Spurs bought Clarke from for £9m in the summer.

The Leeds loan was a nightmare for the winger after he failed to convince Marcelo Bielsa he was worthy of a start. The 19-year-old only made three appearances for the Whites in a disappointing return to Elland Road, with only 21 minutes of action in the Championship.

Clarke was signed by at Spurs by Mauricio Pochettino, who has since left.

He was given permission to return to Elland Road on loan due to Pochettino’s strong working relationship with Bielsa.

Leeds already had five loanees at the club and new EFL regulations state that clubs can only field four loan players in a match-day squad – meaning the forward was often left out on game days.

 

 

Forest and Derby were original favourites to pen Clarke’s signature but the Tottenham request for Clarke to stay in London could rule them out of the race.

Other London clubs such as Fulham, Millwall and Brentford are also keen on Clarke’s signature but reports suggest QPR boss Mark Warburton is close to getting a deal over the line.

Clarke was in north London on Monday, spotted with the Leeds fans for their Arsenal Carabao Cup tie at the Emirates.

The winger was a breakthrough star in the Championship last season and is sure to have an array of quality clubs to chose from.