Southampton will join the race for Sunderland winger Jack Clarke this summer, but only if they achieve promotion to the Premier League, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of intense interest over the past two transfer windows. Burnley saw a number of bids rejected last summer whilst Italian giants Lazio were keen to bring the attacker to Serie A last month.
The Black Cats have so far been successful in rebuffing any approaches but know they face a fight to retain the services of their star man should they fail to reach the top tier this season. However, back-to-back defeats now mean that the Wearsiders are four points from sixth-placed Coventry City.
Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, addressed the speculation earlier this week, hinting that his client is likely to be on the move this summer. Speaking to No Tippy Tappy Football, he said:
“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.
“The player has just obviously got to focus on what he’s doing at the moment, which is (playing) fantastically well, scoring goals, getting assists. But hopefully this summer we’ll probably see Jack moving. Where it may be, we don’t know just yet, but he’s in good place.”
Clarke bagged his 15th goal of the season in yesterday’s 2-1 reverse against Birmingham City in what is his most fruitful campaign of his young career. This has brought clubs like West Ham United, Brentford and Crystal Palace to the table, although Southampton are the latest team to be accredited with interest.
According to Nixon, the Saints will table a £15 million offer should they return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Russell Martin’s side are in a real battle to secure automatic promotion and are in a three-way tussle to finish in the top two with the two teams they were relegated alongside last season.
Leicester City are of course the favourites to land the Championship title and sit nine points above second-placed Leeds United, with Southampton two points further back in third. The pair are scheduled to meet on the final day of the season in a clash which could decide who goes straight up and who must settle for a place in the play-offs.
Writer’s View
With the transfer window not set to reopen for four months, this is one rumour that can be taken with a pinch of salt. There are a lot of factors involved in Southampton’s interest – which is genuine – and there is no guarantee that they will achieve promotion.
Furthermore, Sunderland have already rejected offers of £15 million from Lazio and they are unlikely to consider similar bids this summer, especially with Clarke’s current form. If anything, his valuation will increase, and the Black Cats could be looking for as much as £20 million.