Speakman and Sunderland know exactly what to do after Jack Clarke’s transfer comments
Jack Clarke has recently spoken out on his future at Sunderland.
Sunderland’s 2023/24 Player of the Season Jack Clarke has interest from the Premier League once again.
Last summer, it was Burnley who tried the hardest to sign the former Spurs man, with Crystal Palace appearing like the most interested suitors this time round.
Sunderland’s valuation of Clarke remains a topic of debate with some reports suggesting that Sunderland could stoop as low as £18million, all the way up to £30million.
But whether or not Clarke even leaves the Stadium of Light this summer remains to be seen.
Sunderland stand firm on player price tags with Jobe Bellingham another in demand; the Black Cats are refusing to budge on their £20million valuation of the teenager whom they signed for just £3million last summer.
We could expect the same to be true of Clarke, whatever Sunderland’s actual price tag might be. And recent comments from Clarke could tempt Sunderland into keeping hold of him for one more year.
- READ MORE: Sunderland man’s ‘promising’ pre-season performance spells BAD news for one teammate
Jack Clarke comments on Sunderland future
Speaking to The Northern Echo after the friendly defeat vs Gateshead on Saturday, Clarke spoke out on his future at Sunderland.
The 23-year-old said: “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.”
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris dealt triple Sunderland injury BLOW as pre-season friendlies get underway
Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland know exactly what to do with Jack Clarke
Clarke remains under contract until 2026, and whilst renewal talks are thought to have reached an impasse, Sunderland are under no immediate pressure to sell.
And with Clarke seemingly content with staying at Sunderland for the time being, Kristjaan Speakman and Sunderland should opt to keep him for at least the first half of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Having Clarke will ensure that Regis Le Bris has a bit of star quality to help him ease into life on Wearside, and if Sunderland do, somehow, emerge as dark horses in the Championship next season, then Clarke could definitely help them get over the line.
That said, Sunderland would then need to sell Clarke next summer, or in January next year, with promotion likely the only thing able to tempt Clarke into signing a new deal.
But with Clarke not pushing for an exit, Sunderland shouldn’t push for his exit either.
