Ipswich Town interested in Sunderland winger Jack Clarke
Ipswich Town are ‘preparing an £18m bid’ for Sunderland star Jack Clarke, according to iNews.
The skilful left-winger, 23, contributed 15 goals (five of them penalties) and four assists for a Black Cats side that finished 16th in the Championship table last season.
The Sunderland Echo, in a follow-up story, says that ‘Ipswich’s interest in Clarke is genuine, though it is unclear whether they have sent a formal bid yet’. They add that ‘the Black Cats are unlikely to sell for anything less than £25m’.
Blues boss Kieran McKenna is looking to strengthen that area of his squad.
Nathan Broadhead is a doubt for the season opener against Liverpool, at Portman Road, on August 17 after suffering an injury in pre-season.
Town were recently beaten to the signing of Jaden Philogene by Aston Villa, while it’s understood a £6m bid for Blackburn star Sammie Szmodics has been rejected.
STU’S VERDICT
Clarke ticks all of the ‘young, hungry, athletic and technical’ boxes that Kieran McKenna has outlined.
– He was schooled by fitness freak Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds (as was Leif Davis).
– He is a former England youth international (like Ben Johnson, Axel Tuanzebe, Omari Hutchinson, George Hirst and Liam Delap).
– He’ll been keen to prove he can play in the Premier League having not quite made the grade at Tottenham.
– At 23 years old, he has good room for development.
– He’s versatile. Primarily a left-winger, he can also play on the right or up front.
– He’s a dynamic, exciting player who’s fun to watch – something McKenna values highly.
Town spent £18m – with the potential to rise to £22m – on Omari Hutchinson. Would they go above that for Clarke? He’s more experienced, but has less time on his contract (two years).
He looks a better fit than Szmodics, who is 28 and always been a Championship/League One player, but is he worth double the amount? That’s the question as Ipswich carefully decide how best to use the remainder of their budget.
Remember, centre-midfield and striker are also still areas of the squad that need spending on.
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Premier League club show ‘genuine’ interest in Sunderland man, but clubs £7m apart in valuation
A new Premier League club has joined the race to sign this in demand Sunderland star.
Sunderland and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman have a few difficult player situations to manage this summer.
The Black Cats have a number of players attracting interest from England and from abroad, with the likes of Trai Hume and Jobe Bellingham having plenty of interest.
Both players also have interest from the Premier League and from overseas.
Galatasaray have seen a bid for Hume rejected, with Aston Villa also keen on the Northern Ireland international.
Meanwhile, Bellingham is a target for Lazio in this summer’s transfer window, as well as Crystal Palace.
Will Still and RC Lens like Dan Ballard but Sunderland have recently secured a new contract for the central defender.
Speakman and Sunderland won’t part ways with their key stars easily. But with the case of Jack Clarke, who’s out of contract in 2026, a summer sale may be more inevitable.
