There is hope for Sunderland now that Jack Clarke’s future is looking up.
There are some very important players at Sunderland, maybe none more so than Clarke.
The 23-year-old has improved dramatically this season, tallying 15 goals and dishing out four assists since the Black Cats’ comeback to the Championship.
After an unsuccessful Premier League transfer to Spurs and a string of unremarkable loan stints, Clarke has finally found success at Sunderland.
Jack Clarke was sought after by Burnley and Lazio to join Sunderland.
There is no denying Clarke’s intense curiosity.
The former Leeds United player was coveted by Italian powerhouse Lazio in January after Burnley attempted and failed to sign him last summer.
Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, recently told The Northern Echo that Lazio made an offer for the winger that was around £20 million (with add-ons), but Sunderland believed that was not enough.
Sunderland is not under any immediate obligation to sell because Clarke’s contract expires in 2026, but a sale this coming summer has always felt like the most likely course of action.
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Jack Clarke might execute a U-turn in Sunderland.
Clarke has had no concerns about staying at Sunderland, given they have already turned down offers from Burnley and Lazio.
However, Harte has been very candid regarding his client’s future, previously expressing his optimism that Clarke will make his big transfer this summer.
In an interview with The Northern Echo, Harte, however, hinted that Clarke might still be able to remain at the Stadium of Light.
Additionally, he disclosed that earlier in the season, Clarke was amenable to signing a new contract with the Black Cats, but that the talks had failed.
Harte stated:
We will have to wait and see if the [prior contract talks] change in the summer. There is never a guarantee. I never would shut a door.
We will simply have to wait and see what the next several months have in store because Jack adores his time at Sunderland Football Club.
It would be best for Sunderland to retain Clarke.
Even though Clarke might enjoy playing for the team and everything, it still seems quite improbable that he will stick around.
After yet another brilliant season in the Championship, he now has the entire football globe at his disposal. With Sunderland losing all of their games and lacking a permanent manager, Clarke will undoubtedly find that his growth is best served elsewhere.
Furthermore, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, the owner, and Kristjaan Speakman might be eager to finally make money off of Clarke.
They not only need to select a manager and maybe pay them out of an existing contract, but because this present group of players is not playing well, they will also need to support their new manager throughout the transfer window.
In addition, they will need to find someone to take Clarke’s spot in the lineup because of his recent absence, which has exposed the team’s severe lack of star power and ambition.
Thus, notwithstanding Harte’s remarks, a summer departure is still possible. But Clarke might remain on Wearside for a little while longer if no one makes a compelling bid.
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