Championship clubs Sheffield United and Coventry City are reportedly on alert as Chelsea look to sell Jake Clarke-Salter this summer.
According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea are set to let go of Jake Clarke-Salter in the summer. The youngster’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season, and the Premier League giants are unlikely to hand him a new deal.
Clarke-Salter will thus be available as a free agent this summer, which has put a number of clubs on alert. Coventry City have expressed the desire to bring the Chelsea defender back to West Midlands, but they are facing stiff competition from Championship rivals Sheffield United.
A product of the Chelsea youth academy, Clarke-Salter had spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Coventry. He had joined the club in search of regular game-time, and the defender did not disappoint either. He racked up 29 league appearances, becoming a vital cog in the club’s defensive unit.
Standing at 1.88m, the 24-year-old’s imposing presence at the back, coupled with his dogged defensive mentality was critical in helping Coventry secure a mid-table finish in the league. The Chelsea defender’s performances have even compelled the Sky Blues to re-sign him on a free transfer this summer.
However, Coventry’s pursuit of Jake Clarke-Salter could be made trickier by the involvement of Championship rivals Sheffield United. The Blades are in a position to offer the Chelsea defender the opportunity to fight for promotion next season. They were even close to sealing their return this time around but lost to Nottingham Forest in the playoffs.
Sheffield United are looking to mount another challenge for promotion next season by strengthening their ranks in the defensive unit. The addition of Clarke-Salter could thus make perfect sense, especially for a free transfer.
Chelsea, for their part, are not willing to hand the defender a new contract due to his lack of prospect in the first team. With the club recovering from an ownership crisis, they are unlikely to hold on to academy talents who have no future at the club. As such, Clarke-Salter has been allowed to move in the summer.
A move to either Sheffield United or Coventry City could mark the next step in his career. But with Leeds United also involved in the chase, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the 24-year-old Chelsea centre-back this summer.