Tottenham have made some big transfer mistakes over the years but the decision to sign Jack Clarke over a current England international might be one of their biggest errors.
Spurs have spent a fortune over the last ten years on transfers and some have gone much better than others.
On the positive side of things, Spurs have seen the likes of Cristian Romero, Heung-Min Son and Toby Alderweireld all be excellent signings.
On the flipside, some big money has been spent on players who have flattered to deceive. The likes of Davinson Sanchez, Gio Lo Celso, and Tanguy Ndombele are among just a few who have cost big sums and not done the business.
Of course, those signings mean that certain players have been overlooked as well.
And according toFootball.London, Tottenham actually passed up on the chance to sign Jarrod Bowen.
Tottenham sign Jack Clarke instead of Jarrod Bowen
According to the report from FL, Tottenham had looked into the prospect of signing Bowen back in 2019.
Remarkably, Spurs decided that Leeds United winger Jack Clarke represented better value at the time and the club instead pushed for the Leeds starlet.
Of course, West Ham ended up paying around £22m to sign Bowen instead and now, years down the line, that decision from Tottenham looks a disastrous one.
Bowen, as we know, has gone on to become one of the most prolific forwards in England.
Clarke, meanwhile, continues to play his football with Sunderland in the Championship after signing for an undisclosed fee back in 2022.
Tottenham have to be better in recruitment
For all the complaints aimed at Daniel Levy over the years, it cannot be questioned that Spurs have spent big money and at times, wasted it.
This decision to sign Clarke over Bowen is just one of the examples of how badly Tottenham have got things wrong at times.
Under Ange Postecoglou, there has been signs that the recruitment is getting a touch better.
But Tottenham have got to learn from these sorts of deals. The idea that they might have had a front three of Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Jarrod Bowen in recent years is a thought Tottenham fans won’t want to think too hard about.