Bobby Clark is set to complete his second permanent transfer in three years, with the young midfielder’s latest move understood to bank Liverpool another profit.
Clark only left Liverpool to join Red Bull Salzburg in 2024, but the 21-year-old is already on course to leave the Austrian club on a permanent basis.
Having spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan with Derby, he is now close to finalising a £6 million deal which will ensure a long-term stay at Pride Park.
The Telegraph‘s John Percy reports on X that Clark is expected to undergo a medical later this week as the two clubs thrash out the details of an agreement.
If Clark does complete his switch to Derby it will bank Liverpool just over £1 million owing to a 17.5 percent sell-on clause.
Why Liverpool have first refusal on Bobby Clark
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, January 7, 2024: Liverpool's Bobby Clark celebrates with manager Jürgen Klopp after the FA Cup 3rd Round match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool negotiated the clause into their deal with Salzburg two years ago and it will entitle them to a portion of the transfer fee.
The club also have first refusal on re-signing Clark, which would require them matching Derby’s offer, but that seems unlikely at this stage.
Having been signed from Newcastle for £1.5 million in 2021, Liverpool already made an £8.5 million profit when Clark was sold to Salzburg.
He only started 13 times in his 25 appearances for the Austrian side and his chances of a future were dealt a major blow when Pepijn Lijnders was sacked midway into his first season.
Derby County's Bobby Clark celebrates after scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Pride Park Stadium, Derby. Picture date: Thursday January 1, 2026.
Clark attracted interest from a range of clubs from England, Scotland, Germany, Slovakia, Denmark, Serbia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates before joining Derby on loan.
There, he made 45 appearances last season, starting 36, scoring four goals and laying on four assists to be named their Young Player of the Season as the Rams finished eighth in the Championship.
Liverpool have negotiated buy-back and sell-on clauses into many of the sales of young players in recent years, including the £25 million deal which saw Ben Gannon-Doak join Bournemouth in 2025.