According to Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland turned down Lazio’s offer for Jack Clarke.
Lazio attempted to negotiate a deal for the winger with Sunderland yesterday, but it was turned down. The amount that was provided was about £13.6 million, which is significantly less than the £25 million that Romano claims Sunderland is seeking.
Tottenham Hotspur received a substantial portion of any future transfer fee because of a 25% sell-on option in the player’s contract; the player was sold to them in 2021 for a price of £750,000. This season, Clarke has made 29 appearances in the second division, totaling 13 goals and three assists.
The team led by Michael Beale is adamant that the player is not for sale during this window and will not budge until the deadline next week. Although West Ham had expressed interest in hiring Clarke during this transfer window, they will also be disappointed.
With Alex Pritchard trying to force a move and telling the club yesterday that he was unavailable for selection, it would have been devastating for the Black Cats to lose another important player this late in the window. Tony Mowbray, the midfielder’s former Birmingham City manager, may show interest in him.
After easily defeating Stoke City on Saturday, Sunderland is now level with Coventry City for seventh place in the standings. To have the best chance of making the playoffs, they’ll want to hang onto Clarke come January.
With a game remaining against Atalanta in fourth place, Lazio is three points behind a Champions League spot in the current Serie A standings. The Italian powerhouses, who have players like Felipe Anderson, Pedro Rodriguez, and veteran striker Ciro Immobile, will be vying for a Champions League spot.
The 23-year-old forward is expected to be included in the Black Cats’ squad when they take on Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light the following week. After their bid for Clarke was turned down last night, the Italian team has not yet made a second attempt, and it is unknown at this time if they plan to come back.
Author’s Perspective
Given the magnitude and prominence of a team like Lazio, Clarke would have had to make a unique move, but Sunderland will believe they have every right to hang onto him given the possibility that they could yet slip into promotion this season.
Many Premier League teams will be keeping an eye on the £25 million fee for the player in the summer, and this could be Mauricio Sarri’s team’s best opportunity to sign him yet.
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