"Statement of intent" - Leeds United fan pundit eyes Sunderland's Jack Clarke as Summerville replacement | OneFootball

FLW's Leeds United fan pundit has pinpointed the perfect replacement for Crysencio Summerville

Highlights

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Leeds United are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window as they seek possible replacements for Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.

The Whites will be aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League this year, but have lost a number of key players from last season.

Summerville will be a big absence after his move to West Ham, with the Yorkshire outfit being linked with a number of possible replacements.

Football Insider have reported that Norwich City have turned down a £7 million verbal offer from Leeds for Jonathan Rowe.

Stoke City’s Million Manhoef is also being considered, according to TEAMtalk, with the Championship side casting a wide net to replace the Dutchman.

Leeds United transfer chase verdict

FLW’s Leeds fan pundit Kris Smith believes it is imperative that the club finds replacements for Summerville and Rutter before the window shuts.

He has claimed that the team’s promotion ambition rests on strengthening Farke’s squad, citing Sunderland’s Jack Clarke as a possible dream signing.

“Losing 20 goals and nine assists from last season, it’s abundantly clear that Leeds need to find a solution to losing Summerville, and obviously Rutter is now leaving as well,” Smith told Football League World.

“We’re going to struggle to gain promotion if we don’t replace these players very soon.

“We definitely need a new winger in that regard, and the standout signing is still, for me, Jonny Rowe at Norwich.

“He’s currently making it known he would like to play his football elsewhere this month, so he’s definitely attainable.

“How much he’ll cost is hard to say, but with the amount of money that Leeds are getting and have at their disposal after losing Rutter for £40 million, you’d imagine that we’d be able to muster up a £15 million bid to finally act on this long-standing interest.

“Give Norwich something to think about.

“Away from Rowe, if we’re looking at a dream signing, I think bringing Jack Clarke home from Sunderland would be a real statement of intent, and probably perfect in terms of replacing Summerville.”

Jack Clarke’s importance to Sunderland

Clarke came through the ranks of the academy system at Leeds before moving to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.

The winger was unable to make it at Spurs, and signed for the Black Cats on an initial loan move in January 2022 that was made permanent that summer.

Since helping the Wearside outfit gain promotion to the Championship in 2022, he has contributed 25 goals and 15 assists from 86 league appearances (all stats from Fbref).

Clarke even scored in the team’s opening day 2-0 win over Cardiff City last weekend, and will be a key part of Régis Le Bris’ first team plans this season should he stay beyond the transfer window.

Clarke would be ideal Summerville replacement

Clarke returning to Elland Road to replace Summerville would be an ideal move for the club, albeit potentially unrealistic.

Sunderland have been very firm in their stance surrounding Clarke, and will drive a hard bargain to sell him.

It’s likely he will cost more than the £15 million Norwich are asking for Rowe, and it’s unclear whether Leeds would be willing to spend that much.