Ipswich Town verdict given on 'laughable' Sheffield United, Jack Clarke talk - "He could do better" | OneFootball

Sheffield United have been linked with a surprise move for Ipswich Town's Jack Clarke following the Tractor Boys' promotion to the Premier League.

Ipswich Town are preparing for life back in the Premier League after a great season under the guidance of Kieran McKenna.

The former Man Utd coach has done an outstanding job since he stepped into management at Portman Road, initially leading the Tractor Boys to successive promotions from League One to the top flight.

Last season was much tougher for Ipswich, and they ultimately failed in trying to stay in the Premier League. But, the investment that went into the club meant they were always going to be expected to bounce back - and that’s exactly what they’ve done.

Jack Clarke tipped to make Premier League impact with Ipswich Town amid Sheffield United links

Now, the focus will be on reshaping the squad to ensure Ipswich make a much better attempt at staying up, and some ruthless decisions may need to be made.

Naturally, the focus will be on incomings, but McKenna will need to create space in his squad, and, one player, perhaps surprisingly, who it has been claimed could be on the move is Jack Clarke, who did not have the best of times when Ipswich were in the Premier League in 2024-25.

The 25-year-old scored 16 goals, which made him the Tractor Boys’ top scorer, and he featured in every game. However, he wasn’t a guaranteed starter by any means, and he was on the bench for four of the final five games, with Jaden Philogene preferred out on the left flank, which is Clarke's pruimary position.

It has been reported that Sheffield United could try to sign the winger this summer to give him more regular game-time, but, when quizzed by FLW on the possibility of Clarke moving to Bramall Lane, Ipswich fan pundit Adam Wilkin described it as ‘laughable’.

“Surely that rumour is laughable," Adam told FLW.

"There’s no way Ipswich will be looking to sell our top scorer, who was showing signs of promise in the Premier League, and had a great season this year.

“I don’t think we’d want to let him leave, I don’t think he’d want to go, and if he did want to go, I think he could do better than Sheffield United. So, it’s a non-starter to me.”

Jack Clarke will want to prove himself in the Premier League

Most would agree with the above assessment, as it would be a real shock if Ipswich did sanction an exit for Clarke this summer.

There are still question marks over his ability to do it in the top flight, but the 2024/25 campaign was his first proper season at that level, and it will have been a good learning experience.

In truth, that was a difficult season for most players connected to Ipswich, and you can’t just write them off, particularly as Clarke was a youngster, and he will now feel he is a better all-round player even though it’s only a year or so on.

The challenge for Ipswich will be to build a better team, and in that environment, Clarke could flourish.

Despite that, the Suffolk outfit are certainly going to be in the market for attacking reinforcements, so Clarke will know he faces a real battle to nail down a spot in the XI, and if the offer of guaranteed first-team minutes is on the table, then maybe he will be open to it.

So, it’s one to watch, but if Sheffield United, or any other Championship club, can bring Clarke to the club this summer, it would be a real statement of intent.