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Tottenham Hotspur have been told to pay £20million if they want to sign Leeds United youngster Jack Clarke, per the Daily Mirror.

What’s the word?

The teenager has emerged as a target for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who are keen to refresh their squad after a season that has seen them finish in the Premier League top-four and reach the Champions League final.

The Mirror claim that Spurs are keen to secure young English talent and have also been linked with Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish.

Clarke made his first-team debut for Leeds in October and made a total of 25 appearances in all competitions on the right wing, scoring twice and laying on two assists.

Crystal Palace are also credited with an interest in the teenager but the Championship club, who failed to win promotion via the play-offs, want £20m for their hot prospect.

Spurs, the report claims, could also loan Clarke back to Elland Road as Marcelo Bielsa’s men look to finally seal promotion to the Premier League.

Move on

This is yet another deal that will not truly impact Spurs’ starting XI.

It is understandable that the club want to scoop up the best young players in the country but, as it stands, Spurs need first-team stars, not youth prospects who could be loaned back to the selling club.

It remains to be seen how much money the club actually have to spend but a figure of £20m for an untested 18-year-old is simply too high of a fee.

Chairman Daniel Levy may be able to negotiate that down, of course, but as it is, this feels like a major punt.

Spurs should move on and attempt to secure a genuine first-team star.