Sunderland have been given a glimmer of hope regarding the future of Jack Clarke.
Sunderland have some valuable assets within their ranks; perhaps 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.
Jack Clarke was sought after by Burnley and Lazio to join Sunderland.
There is no denying Clarke’s intense curiosity.
Italian powerhouse Lazio attempted to sign the former Leeds United player in January after Burnley failed to sign him in the summer.
Clarke’s agent Ian Harte recently stated in an interview with The Northern Echo that Lazio made an offer for the winger that was around £20 million (with add-ons), but Sunderland believed that amount was insufficient.
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.
Jack Clarke could make Sunderland U-turnJack Clarke might execute a U-turn in Sunderland.
With Sunderland having already turned down offers from Burnley and Lazio, Clarke has had no concerns about staying put.
However, Harte has been very candid about his client’s future, recently expressing his expectation that Clarke will make his big break this summer.
Harte, though, hinted that Clarke might still be able to stay at the Stadium of Light in an interview with The Northern Echo.
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’ll 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’ll simply have to wait and see what the next several months have in store because Jack adores his time at Sunderland Football Club.
Sunderland would do well to retain Clarke. Despite his apparent love for the team and other factors, it appears unlikely that he will stay.
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 possibly pay them out of an existing contract, but because this present group of players isn’t playing well, they’ll also need to support their new manager throughout the transfer window.
In addition, they’ll 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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