Jack Clarke has been the subject of intense speculation all summer, with the Sunderland man on the radar of many top clubs.
Just this week he was linked with a move back to Leeds United, the club he served his apprenticeship with, but the Elland Road outfit are by no means the only side thought to covet his signature.
Yesterday, West Ham were linked with a move for him, hot on the heels of their capture of Crysencio Summerville, the player who left Leeds, leaving them with a hole to fill and £25 million to fill it with.
However, one interesting point has emerged in the Sun print edition which suggests Clarke has not turned down a new deal at Sunderland. He’s under contract until 2026, but was reportedly offered a new deal which he refused. It is now being reported he has not refused the deal and could stay at the Stadium of Light, where he has been a revelation.
That may make it harder for teams such as West Ham to snatch the former Spurs man away. The Hammers are not the only side from the top flight keeping an eye on Clarke – Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolves have all been credited with an interest.
There’s little surprise, given the player’s swift rise. He first made the Leeds team in 2018 but had already attracted interest from Manchester City, prompting Leeds to secure him on a full-time deal. He made just 25 appearances, scoring twice, before a big move to Spurs for a reported £10 million.
He didn’t settle at Spurs, with loan spells back at Leeds, QPR, and Stoke City before a temporary switch to Sunderland in 21/22. They won promotion with his help, and he signed permanently in the summer.
He now has 27 goals and 16 assists for the Black Cats, and is seen as a vital part of their push for a Premier League return.
Writer’s View
Clarke has really caught fire of late – he has bagged 16 goals and five assists for Sunderland since the start of last season alone, which has ensured they’ve stayed away from the bottom three since getting back into the second tier. There’s no doubt he’s worth a good fee, and at £25 million, some Premier League sides might see something of a steal. After all, he has exceptional technical ability and is a direct runner who loves a one-on-one dribble. Players like him get fans off their seats.
That said, he could make the Premier League with Sunderland. They’re a big club – it could be argued that they are bigger than Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolves, all of whom are chasing. With West Ham, it is negligible, but would he play regularly? He’s a big fish at Sunderland, and if they do go up, he’s likely to remain a key player. Is it worth risking that for a move to West Ham, where he’s just one new face?
Having gone to Spurs and had that once, it feels perhaps like he should stay put, pen a new deal and see how the chips fall.
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