Jack Clarke’s agency has indicated that the winger may depart the club this summer.
Clarke is represented by former Sunderland, Leeds United, and Republic of Ireland left back Ian Harte, who stated on the ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ podcast that his exit in the summer window would ‘hopefully’ occur.
Sunderland rejected down two bids from Serie A club Lazio in the January window, and Harte stated that Clarke will continue to give his all for the shirt for the remainder of the season.
“There was a couple of bids that come in from Lazio, Sunderland didn’t feel like wanted to sell the player in the January window,” he stated.
“The guy has definitely got to focus on what he’s doing right now, which is [playing] wonderfully well, scoring goals and providing assists. But hopefully, Jack will move this summer. We don’t know where it is yet, but he’s doing well.
“Sunderland is a good football team.” It’s a young group of players led by a new manager, and it’s fascinating to watch. I think it will be difficult to make the playoffs, but we’ll have to wait and see what they can achieve.
“Last summer Burnley came in and bid to Sunderland to try and take Jack,” he went on to say.
“Sunderland rejected the offer because they did not believe the valuation was sufficient. So, yeah, I think to players, obviously, as an ex-player like myself, you just have to go out there and do what you’re paid to do, and perform for the team, as Jack has done. He has 14 goals this season and four assists.
“It’s flattering when big Italian teams are coming in and looking at a player like Jack, but the bread and butter is you’ve got to go out and do it week and week out at Sunderland and hopefully he’ll continue to do that.”
Clarke’s current deal expires in two and a half years, but talks about extending it have stopped, which is why a summer departure is possible if Sunderland fail to earn promotion. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman stated after the transfer window that more talks about a new contract were possible, but allowed that a decision might be made in the following window.
“I think we’ve got a changing room full of players who believe they can play in the Premier League, can be part of it with Sunderland, but ultimately they’ve got ambition and we shouldn’t shy away from applauding that.” He went on:
“Every person has their own journey; I don’t believe it’s ever necessary to sell or trade a player; it’s simply about finding the ideal sweet spot for everyone. I don’t think Jack will have to go in the summer, but if you don’t sign a new deal, the clock starts ticking and you become a free agent. I’m sure Jack doesn’t want to go through that two-year period, and neither do we, so it’s just about discussing a contract, seeing where those limits are, and then seeing where the market is in terms of what chances may exist for him to move on at some time.”
Clarke recently told Sky Sports that when the January transfer window closed, he was still ‘enjoying every minute’ at the club.
“I am happy to be here,” Clarke stated.
“I cherish every minute of playing for Sunderland and putting on my uniform. For me, the things that are mentioned on the outside do not worry me. “I’m happy as long as I come in every day wearing a Sunderland shirt.”
