West Ham and Bournemouth are now leading the race to sign this £17million-rated Sunderland star in the summer.
Sunderland look set for another busy summer, both on and off the pitch with the Black Cats yet to appoint a new manager.
And Sunderland’s search for Michael Beale‘s replacement could rumble on into the summer with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus apparently in no rush.
Meanwhile, it’s said that the Black Cats will press on with their transfer business as usual, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman under pressure to deliver improved results in the transfer market this summer.
Whilst player signings will be key, overseeing the correct departures will be just as important, with one name perhaps more crucial than most; Jack Clarke.
West Ham and Bournemouth leading race to sign Jack Clarke at Sunderland
Clarke has had Premier League and European suitors all season, and now after another impressive semester in the second tier, he looks set to move on.
The former Leeds United and Spurs man netted 15 goals and claimed four assists in the 2023/24 Championship season, with West Ham a long-term suitor of his.
Fresh reports now emerging from Daily Mirror (print edition from May 9th 2024) say that the Hammers and Bournemouth are currently leading the race to sign Clarke this summer.
Previous reports claimed that Sunderland want £17milion for Clarke this summer, though many fans will argue that figure is far too low.
Jack Clarke exit may mean good news for one player at Sunderland
Clarke’s exit this summer has long seemed inevitable following what’s been another standout campaign for the 23-year-old.
And from the club’s perspective, they perhaps did well to fend off interest last summer as they’re now looking at making double what they might have made last summer, when Burnley were bidding £10million.
Whilst this apparent £17million figure is up for debate, Clarke’s exit may well be good news for one Sunderland gem in particular; Tommy Watson.
The 17-year-old has been turning heads for the youth teams this season but Mike Dodds waited until the final game of the season, and until the final minutes of the game to hand Watson his first appearance of the season.
Watson may now be behind in his development whereas he could’ve been up and running in time for next season, with Clarke’s exit bound to open the door way for him.
Watson won’t go straight into the XI, with Sunderland surely set to sign a direct replacement. But Watson could become a regular on the bench and late in games for Sunderland next time round.
Speakman and Sunderland really need to put these Clarke millions to good use this summer, with interest now starting to ramp up.