Jack Clarke’s transfer from Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur was the worst kept secret in football this week.
The big question now is when, rather than if, the deal will be announced by the Premier League giants.
The 18-year-old burst onto the scene with the first team last season, memorably scoring a crucial goal at Aston Villa in December before terrorising Derby County in January.
It was this performance, in front of a Friday-night national television audience, his suitors really sat up and took notice.
After regular action as Marcelo Bielsa’s first choice off the bench, Clarke faded away and a virus at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium wiped him out of the picture for weeks.
Clarke failed to make anywhere near the same kind of impression after his return to the fold and faded away in the closing weeks, playing with the under-23s more than the first team.
Despite that stuttering end to the season, interest still came from the top flight and eventually, at the start of this week, Spurs matched the Whites’ valuation.
The teenager travelled south some time between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon to complete a medical and negotiate personal terms.
By Thursday night the deal was all but wrapped up. Reports suggest Clarke has signed a five-year deal on a transfer worth around £10m up front with add-ons.
LeedsLive expects the move will formally be announced on Monday and Clarke will move on with his career after just over 800 minutes of senior football.
