Reports: Preston North End among Championship clubs interested in Premier League full-back
PNE and a host of second-tier sides are linked.
Preston North End are one of four Championship clubs eyeing a move for Ipswich Town defender Harry Clarke, reports claim.
High-profile football journalist Ben Jacobs claims that Clarke is likely to leave the newly-promoted Premier League side on a permanent basis. While North End are interested, so are Bristol City, Sheffield United and Stoke City, with the Robins understood to be the club most advanced in talks with Clarke.
The 25-year-old right-back began his senior career at Arsenal. During his time with the Gunners, he had loan spells with Oldham, Ross County, Hibernian and Stoke City. In January 2023, he joined Ipswich Town and enjoyed back-to-back promotions under then-boss Kieran McKenna.
Clarke played a major role in those League One and Championship campaigns, and made seven top-flight appearances for the Tractor Boys. He went out on loan to Sheffield United in January 2025. While he was part of Ipswich’s second-tier squad last season, he made no appearances and left on loan once again, this time to Charlton Athletic in January 2026.
His loan spell with the Addicks was regarded as a big success; he started all but three of the games he was available for following his arrival. He is a right-back by trade but can play either in that position in a back four, or a little further forward at wing-back should a back three be deployed.