Gordon Armstrong believes one ‘brilliant’ Sunderland star is very likely to leave this summer.
Sunderland endured an extremely underwhelming 2023/24 campaign, rounding it off with a defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and finishing in 16th place.
Their failure to build on their first season back in the Championship means all eyes are on the summer transfer window, as they try their best not to lose some of their prized assets.
The Black Cats have a long list of players who have already been linked with moves to the Premier League, with Anthony Patterson one name who could be on his way to a club competing in the Champions League.
However, one man whose absence will probably cause the biggest issue for Sunderland is Jack Clarke.
The winger has picked up 24 goals and 16 assists in the Championship and has already been subject to bids from Lazio and Burnley.
The likes of West Ham, Brentford and Sheffield United have also been linked with a move for Clarke, who is yet to sign a new contract with the club.
The 23-year-old has previously admitted that he is happy on Wearside, and his Instagram post following the conclusion of the season that read ‘we will be back stronger’ certainly doesn’t suggest a looming exit.
Jack Clarke ‘deserves his opportunity’
While fans will be hoping he makes the unexpected decision to stay at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland legend Gordon Armstrong believes he is ‘probably going to go’ to the top flight this summer.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, the former midfielder said: ““I think he’s probably going to go and I think most fans will understand that as well to be fair.
“The lad has done brilliant and probably is above Championship level. You have to go and do that in the Premier League but I think he deserves his opportunity to go and do it at a higher level and I don’t think fans will hold a grudge against him for that.”
Sunderland should try and keep him for one more season
Jack Clarke’s contract doesn’t expire at Sunderland until 2026, but if he refuses to sign a new deal then the club may feel like they are better off making a decent fee now before he enters his final 12 months in a year’s time.
The Black Cats could certainly do with over £20 million to rebuild their squad this term, but the likelihood of managing to replace Clarke seems extremely low.
It would be a huge risk, but the Wearside outfit would surely benefit from keeping hold of Clarke for a further year and going all out to achieve promotion.
Sunderland will have to make major changes to be in with a chance, but it seems like a lot to ask for the club to be even battling in the play-offs if their star player does leave over the next few months.