Ipswich Town forward Jack Clarke has become a target for Middlesbrough as they seek fresh reinforcement. According to a report by the Hartlepool Mail, the Boro are keen to sign the talented attacker following his recent heroics in front of the fans.
Clarke was instrumental in the recent local clash at Portman Road, where Ipswich Town hosted Sunderland. The forward scored a late winning goal to ensure his club collected all three points against their rivals, proving his value to the current squad. Despite the interest, the player remained cautious, saying: "It’s sort of bittersweet".
The interest from Middlesbrough is not just limited to Clarke. The club is also looking to sign Leicester City player Stephy Mavididi to bolster their options. This comes at a critical time as the summer transfer window closes next Tuesday, leaving little time for negotiations to finalize any deals.
What the fitness update means for Middlesbrough
While Middlesbrough is looking at new talent, they are facing their own selection headaches. Ashley Phillips, who was recently signed from Tottenham Hotspur, is currently not fully fit. This delay complicates the plans for the manager as they navigate a busy fixture list.
The team is scheduled to play a Carabao Cup tie at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday. Regarding the availability of key players, boss Kim Hellberg provided a cautious outlook, stating: "I don't think [Doncaster], maybe next Saturday".
Where does Clarke fit in the current squad
\The addition of Clarke would provide significant depth to the Boro's attack. Ipswich Town have shown strong form recently, coming off a successful campaign last season. Looking back at the final 2025 table, they finished 2nd in the Championship with 84 pts, 23W-15D-8L from 46 games. Their recent form was WDDWD, and they are currently on a 2-game winning run.
Ipswich Town have been prolific offensively with 80 goals scored this season and 47 conceded (+33 goal difference). However, they remain 11 points behind leaders Coventry in the title race. Their last result was a 3-0 win over QPR on 2026-05-02. Currently, they are sidelined Florentino Luís due to injury.
Ipswich Town season statistics overview
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| League Standing | 2nd in Championship |
| Points | 84 |
| Goals Scored | 80 |
| Goals Conceded | 47 |
| Goal Difference | +33 |
| Last Result | 3-0 win vs QPR |
The focus now shifts to the transfer deadline and how both clubs handle these interest. If Middlesbrough moves forward with Clarke, it would represent a significant loss for Ipswich Town's attacking momentum. For now, the club must focus on maintaining their form as they chase the top of the table.
