Jack Clarke has been the subject of much transfer speculation in recent times. According to the Sunderland Echo, he is the most likely of all Sunderland’s important first-team players to leave the Stadium of Light this summer, as contract talks between the club and the player’s representation are still at an impasse. This is a setback for the Black Cats, who will want to lock him down to a long-term contract deal to secure his future at the SoL and improve their negotiating position even more.
Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, believes the winger is unlikely to sign a new contract, which could have alerted interested teams who may have followed him throughout his impressive two-year permanent tenure on Wearside. With numerous goals and assists for the Black Cats since coming on a four-year contract in 2022, it’s no wonder that Premier League clubs have been linked with a move for him in recent weeks. Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have been linked with a bid for the winger, and Football Insider reports that West Ham United is also interested.
Update on Southampton’s pursuit of Jack Clarke According to The Sun, fellow interested club Southampton is willing to walk away from any talks to sign Clarke due to his high price. His current price tag is said to be £18 million, which is a large number for a Championship player, and it appears that Russell Martin’s side is unwilling to pay that much, despite the fact that their return to the top flight might provide them with plenty of money to spend.
This summer’s budget could even be increased by the money made last summer, as St Mary’s sold players such as Romeo Lavia, Tino Livramento, and James Ward-Prowse to balance the books. They may have used some of this income to sign Clarke, as their wing area needed to be addressed following the departures of David Brooks and Ryan Fraser at the end of their loan periods on the south coast. Sunderland and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus should keep a tough position on Jack Clarke for now.
£18 million for a second-tier player is a big price, but it is reasonable for a player of Clarke’s ability and promise. At only 23, the youngster has showed potential for success in the top division. The Black Cats have the option to keep him until the summer of 2026, giving them a strong negotiation position. With two years left on his contract, this summer may be the ideal time to sell the winger if the club wants to maximize the amount they can earn for the player. However, they cannot afford to be too hard in their attitude.
However, he still has plenty of time left on his contract, and with Spurs incorporating a significant sell-on percentage when he moves to the Stadium of Light permanently in 2022, the Black Cats should try to make as much money as possible on him. With two months left in the window, there’s no reason to accept the first proposal that comes in, especially when other teams are reportedly interested in the player. With the winger’s consistency over the last two years, it appears likely that bids will come in for him, therefore the Black Cats must be patient. Even if they don’t sell him, Regis Le Bris’ side can cash in on other players.
Clarke’s price tag might potentially come down later in the window if they want to move him on, but with contract talks still ongoing, they should aim to maintain a firm stance for now.
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