Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has confirmed the club are interested in signing Jack Clarke on loan from Tottenham - but admits a deal is unlikely.
The 19-year-old returned to North London after his spell with Leeds United was cut short due to a lack of playing time, sparking a fresh chase in the hunt for his services.
Middlesbrough are among the clubs being linked with a swoop for the teenager, who has also reportedly attracted the attention of Millwall, QPR, Stoke City and Derby County.
Woodgate, who will face off against Jose Mourinho once again next week in the FA Cup third-round replay, has revealed his interest in Clarke but is not optimistic of the club's chances.
"Jack Clarke: I really like him. He’s a really, really top player. I do like Jack Clarke. Are we going to get him? I don’t think so but he’s a good, good player," he told Teesside Live.
Middlesbrough have already been active this month, landing Lukas Nmecha and Patrick Roberts on loan from Manchester City, and Woodgate has admitted the recruitment process has changed since the December exit of Adrian Bevington, the club's head of recruitment operations.
"I think my silence says it all, sometimes silence is deafening," he replied after a long pause.
Middlesbrough host Derby County in the Championship on Saturday before travelling to North London on Tuesday for the FA Cup clash with Spurs, where the winner will face Southampton in the fourth round.
