Sheffield United eyeing up 16-goal Ipswich Town star - Chris Wilder has wanted him before | OneFootball

Sheffield United are open to exploring a move for Jack Clarke once more this summer

The 2025/26 campaign is one that Sheffield United want to sweep under the rug immediately, as the Blades fell to their lowest EFL finish since winning League One back in 2017.

It's been a chaotic season at Bramall Lane, all starting last June when Chris Wilder was removed from his post following a narrow defeat in the play-off final against Sunderland. Three months later, he was back, following six straight defeats to begin the year under Ruben Selles.

Ultimately, it wasn't a case of just bringing back the popular manager coinciding with an immediate return to promotion-challenging form. It would take until late November for Sheffield United to climb out of the relegation zone, and they'd wind up finishing 13th.

Now, though, there are murmurs of a new era dawning at Bramall Lane. A refresh of the squad is set to be made, as the Blades look to retool and rebuild a squad capable of challenging at the top of the Championship, even with the absence of Premier League parachute payments.

Quality will need to be added in the summer, and the club are looking to bring in someone with promotion experience as recently as this season to provide just that.

Sheffield United rekindle interest in Ipswich Town's Jack Clarke

Per a report from the Sheffield Star's Danny Hall, Sheffield United are looking at reigniting their interest in Ipswich Town's Jack Clarke this summer.

Indeed, the Blades were linked with an ambitious move for the 25-year-old ahead of the recent January transfer window, as they aimed to add some firepower ahead of a potential late push for the play-offs.

Understandably, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna wasn't entertaining a mid-season move for the wideman, who would end up netting a team-high 16 league goals en route to their second-placed finish this term, but perhaps the promotion could open the door for a switch this time round.

Clarke joined the Suffolk-based outfit ahead of their Premier League return in 2024 for £15 million, but his first taste of Premier League football brought about disappointing results, failing to score in 32 appearances, only 12 of which were starts.

And while the former Sunderland man's confidence has clearly returned this season, Kieran McKenna may have second thoughts about relying on his output in the top flight.

We've seen recently that managers cannot afford to let sentiment get in their way when trying to keep a newly promoted team alive in the top flight, and the wide area could be a position which gets upgraded this summer, leaving him open to moving back to the Championship.

Jack Clarke would be a real statement signing for Sheffield United

The Star article goes on to state that the left wing is an area that the Blades are keen to upgrade this summer. Gustavo Hamer has been used off the left in recent seasons, but even if he were to remain at Bramall Lane this summer, he's expected to return to a more central role.

Aston Villa's Lewis Dobbin, who spent this season on loan at Preston North End, is another player linked with filling that gap, and while he'd be a brilliant signing, if the Blades can bring Clarke in, they shouldn't think twice.

The 25-year-old has been used mainly as an impact player at Portman Road this season, making 23 starts and 23 substitute appearances across the year. The majority of those starts came while Jaden Phillogene was injured in the early months of the year.

While he's proven to be a deadly option off the bench and is arguably one of the main reasons as to why Ipswich were able to mount a promotion charge this year, perhaps a return to being one of the main attacking options would be one that Clarke would be open to taking, even if it does mean dropping back to the Championship.

And if Sheffield United can get his signature over the line, it'd be a real statement signing as they look to re-establish themselves as a top side in the second tier.