LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Fabio Vieira of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Spurs boosted by Ipswich Town move for Sunderland star as Leicester City eye Arsenal loan deal
Tottenham Hotspur could be handed a financial boost if Ipswich Town follow up their interest in Sunderland winger Jack Clarke.
The Tractor Boys have already made a positive start to their summer recruitment as they prepare for the long-awaited return to the top flight. Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has been handed an immediate return to the Premier League after making a £7m move to Portman Road and he will be joined by West Ham United defender Ben Johnson, who was snapped up on a free transfer after his Hammers contract came to a close.
Chelsea youngster Omari Hutchinson has made a permanent switch to Ipswich on the back of a successful loan stint and Hull City defender Jacob Greaves and Manchester City forward Liam Delap have both been secured at a combined cost of around £32m. McKenna is now set to make an £18m move for Sunderland star Clarke in a deal that could hand an unexpected financial boost to Tottenham, who negotiated a sell-on clause in the permanent deal that took the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2022.
Speaking about his future after the Black Cats’ recent pre-season friendly at National League club Gateshead, Clarke said: “Obviously that interest has been there but it doesn’t affect me. I’m still wearing a red and white shirt at the end of the day. That’s what I’m focusing on. As long as I’m in a red and white shirt, that’s all I’ll be focusing on. I’m coming in every single day, wearing Sunderland colours every day. As long as I’m playing for Sunderland I won’t be thinking about anything else. If things are going to happen then they’re going to happen when they happen. I’m not focusing on anything else other than the present and in the present I’m playing for Sunderland.”
After helping Sunderland reach the Championship play-offs during the 2022/23 season by scoring 11 goals and providing 14 assists in 50 appearances, Clarke was a high point in a challenging season last time out by racking up 19 goal contributions in 42 games as his side laboured to a lower half finish. That has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs and Serie A side Lazio are
also said to be keen on the winger. It is Ipswich that are believed to be ready to make a firm move for his services – although iNews have claimed the Tractor Boys may well have to stump up around £25m to persuade Sunderland to part company with their star man.
