Noel Whelan says Leeds United should sell highly-rated winger Jack Clarke this summer, if a club meets their £20 million valuation.

The 18-year-old made 25 appearances for Leeds last season, in his breakthrough season for the first-team and has attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

It was reported last week that Spurs had submitted an offer of £8million for the winger, having seen a previous bid rejected by Leeds, who have placed a £20million price tag on the player.

It was also reported earlier today that Clarke is prepared to tell Leeds that he wants to leave Elland Road and join Spurs, amid their interest in him.

Former Leeds striker Whelan believes Clarke is a promising player, but has admitted that Leeds should sell him and use the money to strengthen their squad in other areas, if a club is prepared to meet their £20million asking price.

“Right now, no, but if they’re willing to take it then we’ll take £20million, absolutely,” Whelan told Football Insider, when asked if Clarke is worth Leeds' £20million valuation.

“Jack Clarke is a work in progress. We’ve got him up to a certain place in his footballing career, a certain standard of his ability which was helped at Leeds United by the coaching staff. Yes, ability as well that he was born with but we brought him into a side where he’s done okay.

“If that’s going to release £20million to spend on players, as much as I think he’s a work in progress and could be a smashing player in the future, he’s still not the finished article.

“So £20million right now to get someone who’s going to give us a little bit more, in probably three or four areas, yeah, I would sell him.”

The Verdict

I agree with Whelan here. Clarke is a very promising player and he’s shown in just one season at Elland Road that he could have a big future at Leeds United.

However, if Spurs or another club are prepared to pay £20million for him, then I think Leeds would have to take it, especially if he wants to leave the club.

Marcelo Bielsa could use that money to find a good replacement for Clarke and significantly strengthen his squad in other areas, as he looks to build a team capable of finishing in the Championship’s top two next season.

Andrea Radrizzani has already spoken about how Leeds may struggle in the transfer market this summer, but £20million changes everything.