Sunderland Issue Jack Clarke Contract Update

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman insists contract talks with talisman Jack Clarke are ongoing amidst interest from several top tier clubs.

The 23-year-old has been the Black Cats’ star man this season, pitching in with 13 goals and four assists in 30 Championship games to date. It’s a career-best goal return for the winger, who has attracted the attention of a host of Premier League clubs as well as Italian giants Lazio.

Burnley were keen to bring the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster to Turf Moor last summer, seeing several bids knocked back which eventually totalled over £10 million. Brentford and West Ham United entered the running last month whilst a concrete bid was rejected from Serie A as Lazio set their sights on the winger.

With a play-off place the minimum aim, Sunderland relented the pressure. Clarke is seen as pivotal to their top six chances and with the Wearsiders failing in their pursuit to land former loanee Amad Diallo from Manchester United, cashing in mid-season would’ve been lunacy.

For his part, Clarke is happy with life at the Stadium of Light. Although he harbours ambitions of playing at a higher level, he is in no rush to depart the club. He remains under contract until 2026 and Sunderland are hoping to extend his deal in the coming months,

Via Northern EchoSpeakman issued an update regarding the scenario:

“I don’t think it (contract talks) ever runs its course. There are always ongoing conversations. I think at the minute, everyone is really comfortable with where it sits, and those conversations will continue.

“There’s loads of things that can affect that as you go through, but we’ve always had really open dialogue with players and their agents. We talked a lot about Ross Stewart and there was never a case of on, off, on, off. It was just ongoing, and I just think that’s the way it’s done in the modern game.”

Sunderland slipped to eighth in the table following yesterday’s 1-1 draw with local rivals Middlesbrough, with Hull City moving into the all-important sixth spot. However, they are just one point behind the Tigers, as are Coventry City in seventh and Norwich City in ninth. They’ll be hoping to keep the pressure on when they host Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.

Writer’s View

There seems an air of inevitability surrounding the future of Jack Clarke. Much depends on what Sunderland can achieve come May, and he could remain in the North East should they earn themselves a spot in the Premier League next season.

They are the underdogs though and know that this summer could see the winger leave the club. Tying him down to a new deal won’t prevent that but will offer the Black Cats some additional financial clout once teams from higher divisions come knocking. They also know that Tottenham will earn 25% of any fee thanks to the sell-on clause they inserted upon his permanent transfer in 2022, and that will be at the forefront of Speakman’s mind.

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