How Jack Clarke’s Ipswich Town wage compares to Sheffield United’s highest paid players | OneFootball

Jack Clarke is reportedly being tracked by Sheffield United this winter

Sheffield United reportedly have Ipswich Town winger Jack Clarke on their January transfer list in an ambitious potential raid of their Championship rivals.

That’s according to a report from The Star, who say the Yorkshire outfit are eyeing a move for the 25-year-old, who has seven Championship goals to his name this season so far.

It follows news that United are ending Louie Barry’s loan early, with the Aston Villa man having suffered yet another knee injury.

Clarke is said to be one name on the list at Bramall Lane, but would he fit into their current wage structure?

Jack Clarke’s current wage at Ipswich Town

Clarke signed for Ipswich in the summer of 2024 from Sunderland, as Kieran McKenna geared up for a season in the Premier League.

It was a significant investment for the Tractor Boys, who spent a reported £15m on the signing, with another £5m available in add-ons.

According to estimates from Capology, Clarke is in the middle range of Ipswich’s wage structure, earning £25,000 per week after his move last year from the Black Cats.

That puts him some way below the club’s top earners, Jens Cajuste, Dara O’Shea and Leif Davis, who are all estimated to be on £35,000 a week, and it perhaps reflects his squad player role under Kieran McKenna.

Sheffield United’s top earners and how they compare to transfer target Jack Clarke

On that basis, it appears that Clarke is an affordable player for the Blades when it comes to wages anyway.

Their wage structure closely resembles that of Portman Road. While Ben Godfrey is said to be on £75,000 a week, according to Capology, he is on loan from Atalanta, so United may not be paying that full sum.

The Blades’ top earner in terms of permanent playing staff, therefore, is Japhet Tanganga, estimated to be bringing in £35,000 per week.

Much like Ipswich, they have a core of first-team players all estimated to be on between £25,000-£30,000, so even baking in a small increase to convince Clarke to sign, he should be affordable.

However, he signed a five-year deal upon arrival at Portman Road in the summer of 2024, and is performing well in the second tier as things stand, so whether the transfer fee that Ipswich can sit and demand is affordable could be a different matter entirely.

The Blades need a big January and have room for Jack Clarke - whether they can afford him is a differnet matter

Should they manage to find a fee that works for both parties, however, United could certainly use Clarke.

Not only are they hovering just above the relegation zone, in need of a big January window to show intent, but they also have a specific vacancy in Clarke’s position.

The Blades signed Aston Villa youngster Barry on a season-long loan last term, having impressed while with League One’s Stockport County.

In short, it simply hasn’t worked, with the 22-year-old fading out of the side once Chris Wilder returned.

Moreover, Barry has suffered a knee issue that will require surgery, which is going to end a loan spell that was likely already finished in any case.

Barry is, by trade, a left winger, the same as Clarke, and given the Blades planned with the Villa man as one of their key summer captures, he will need replacing in the side, despite not featuring much.

Clarke would certainly fit in the Blades’ wage structure, and they have room for him in the squad, but agreeing a transfer fee could prove difficult.