TWTD understands Town are closing in on the permanent signing of Arsenal defender Harry Clarke, the one-time Blues academy schoolboy, who is currently on loan at Stoke City.

The deal looks set to be confirmed today after the Potters loan is cut short with the Blues believed to be paying a fee of around £1 million for the 21-year-old.

Clarke left the Blues for the Gunners youth set-up in August 2015 having previously been the scorer of the U14s’ Barcelona-esque goal which went viral.

Born in Ipswich, Clarke was with Brantham Athletic prior to joining Town’s academy. At the time he was a forward but now operates as either a centre-half or right-back.

In 2020 he joined Oldham Athletic on loan for the campaign, then spent the first half of the following season in Scotland with Ross County before subsequently joining Hibs in January.

This summer he moved to Stoke in the Championship where he has made 10 starts and 10 sub appearances, scoring twice.

Clarke, the younger brother of striker George Clarke who was with the Town academy during 2013/14, appears to be viewed as someone who can vie with Janoi Donacien for his role on the right-side of the defence.

Photo: Action Images

BlueNomad added 14:30 - Jan 19 Blimey! Splashing the cash!
4

mathiemagic added 14:33 - Jan 19 A defensive addition at last.
11

ruds added 14:34 - Jan 19 I will bark if we get Clarke!!! WOOF WOOF
3

oldelsworthyfan added 14:54 - Jan 19 At last. Not just for this season, but also (hopefully) for the future. I don't suppose we can also find a fit centre half with an older head to keep things together in the last 10 minutes?
6

ArnieM added 15:00 - Jan 19 Hallelujah, party time, we've finally got a defender in through the door.
6

Europablue added 15:03 - Jan 19 Do we get a sell-on fee?
20

markytitfc added 15:17 - Jan 19 Let's hope he hasn't had to travel too far and that he hasn't slept in a new bed, so he is fit to play.
11

VitalSigns added 15:23 - Jan 19 This is a very good signing. Possibly the best of this window. I would expect one of the central defenders to be sold or loaned out to balance the squad numbers.
4

Bazza8564 added 15:41 - Jan 19 Good signing, certainly need more depth and hes been playing Championship football and has experience of a PL club so hopefully will have an "old head on young shoulders". Young players and good money invested again, we seem to be building well. And as with Broadhead last week, Im quite happy to wait a week for him to train properly with the group rather than just chick him straight it!

7

IpswichT62OldBoy added 15:49 - Jan 19 We are now building a Championship squad, with potential go further. Noice.
3

Kentish_Tractor added 15:50 - Jan 19 Hopefully means we can finally put Keogh out to pasture and give him a coaching job or a job with the youths. Either that or maybe Edmondson might be off?
0

Suffolkboy added 15:51 - Jan 19 Again KM and co know exactly what they're planning but cards are close to the chest and carefully played ! Great news and welcome home ! COYB
5

coolhand added 15:54 - Jan 19 This signing is an expensive buy for defensive cover, will not replace anyone at the moment
-7

AlanG296 added 16:07 - Jan 19 If we are getting a Championship squad would be a pity if it's still playing in League One next season.
4

Robert_Garrett added 16:13 - Jan 19 Welcome home again Matty!!!! Nice to see you again and wish you well in your future at the Town. COYB.
3

oldbri added 16:34 - Jan 19 Wow and double wow. I hope this transfer goes through. If it does, Welcome back Matt, you are desperately needed.
2

oldbri added 16:36 - Jan 19 That should have read welcome Harry, not Matt.
0

johnwarksshorts added 16:36 - Jan 19 Great signing.
0

churchmans added 16:37 - Jan 19 Let's hope he ain't injured
1

blues1 added 16:41 - Jan 19 Europablue Where does a,sell on clause come into a player we are signing? That only happens when u sell some1, and then they get sold on?
-10

HALLSJ added 16:58 - Jan 19 Stoke City friends of mine told me this afternoon, very pleased about this one
0

PortmanTerrorist added 17:23 - Jan 19 Playing in Championship, owned by Prem Club, paying a fee and coming to be a back up ?! No chance. McK has seen a weakness and this is the answer, so let's see how we use him, as use him we will and ASAP. Great signing all at ITFC!
3

Gforce added 17:23 - Jan 19 Well this one was certainly kept under the radar.Lots of people thinking we are about to sign, Mcguiness and we sneakerly go for this guy instead.I like the new way,where we keep things under wraps until the last minute. I know nothing about him,but im sure Mckenna does ,so hopefully will have a big future here,and with a bit of luck a couple of promotions in the near future.

1

WhoisJimmyJuan added 18:00 - Jan 19 Blues1, you're beginning to troll people on here. Zip it please.
1

jas0999 added 18:01 - Jan 19 Great news! The owners will of course require a return on this huge investment sooner rather than later.
1

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