Arsenal join Tottenham in battle to sign exciting £12m winger

The January transfer window is coming to a close so managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Arsenal join Tottenham in the race to sign Jack Clarke…

Arsenal have joined north London rivals Tottenham in the race to sign £12m-rated winger Jack Clarke but any potential deal may have to wait until the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Clarke is a product of the Leeds United youth academy having joined the club as a kid and he’s progressed through the ranks to emerge as one of the most exciting young talents outside of the Premier League.

The 18-year-old broke in to the first team set-up last year having impressed with the U23s and he’s now an important member of Marcelo Bielsa’s starting eleven having featured in each of Leeds’ last 11 Championship games.

The teenager has provided 2 goals and 2 assists during those appearances and it seems his huge potential has caught the eye of clubs in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Tottenham have been strongly linked with a move for Clarke this month and boss Mauricio Pochettino hinted over the weekend they were trying to sign an English player before the window closes on Thursday night.

However, the Daily Mail claims that Arsenal have now joined Tottenham in the race to sign the £12m-rated winger with the north London duo both keeping a close eye on Clarke’s progress this season.

The speculation prompted one Spurs fan to suggest on Twitter that Tottenham were pushing through a deal to sign Clarke this week. However, the midfielder’s agent, Ian Harte, shot-down the rumours by insisting Clarke will be staying with Leeds to try and get his boyhood club promoted.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

In reply to the fan, Harte is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail:

‘Jack will be staying at Leeds and wants to get the club back to where it belongs!!!’

Leeds currently sit three points clear at the top of the Championship table and understandably they don’t want to lose one of their key players mid-season so it looks like Arsenal and Tottenham will need to wait until the summer if they want to lure Clarke away from Elland Road.