Jack Clarke, the Black Cats’ standout player, is expected to draw a lot of interest, particularly from the London Stadium.
Following a noteworthy performance in the initial half of the 2023-24 season, the 23-year-old player garnered significant attention from both domestic and international clubs.
West Ham United was apparently interested in signing Clarke, and if rumors are to be believed, they were offered a cost of £20 million to do so.
Naturally, during the January transfer window, only the Hammers and no other team fit this valuation.
But considering their current situation, Sunderland should definitely be prepared for bids from the Hammers this summer.
West Ham in a tricky spot with Moyes unrest
Even though they hold the ninth position in the Premier League, the atmosphere at the London Stadium is far from positive. The team has secured this league position despite a recent string of poor performances. The manager of the Hammers, David Moyes, is facing criticism from the fans. However, Moyes has acknowledged that he has been presented with the opportunity to extend his stay beyond the current season, despite his existing contract expiring.
This puts the team in a depressing state, and if fans decide they no longer want Moyes in control, they can feel pessimistic about the future.
But as we’ve seen in the past, big additions are one method to win over supporters, so Sunderland should be ready for West Ham to make an offer for Clarke very early in the summer.
Fans of the Hammers would undoubtedly be thrilled to sign such an exciting prospect as the winger, especially in light of Jarrod Bowen’s recent success at the London Stadium.
Jarrod Bowen example shows Clarke could be great signing
Bowen joined West Ham from Hull City in January 2020, showcasing his talent in the EFL. His departure from Hull had a significant impact, leading to their relegation to League One due to the inability to adequately replace him. In the Championship, Bowen displayed impressive performances with 52 goals and 12 assists in 117 appearances, earning him a transfer to the London Stadium. Since then, he has maintained his form in the top-flight.
Approaching his 200th appearance for the Hammers, Bowen has contributed 54 goals and 36 assists to the team. Notably, he added a European medal to his achievements by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.
Given Bowen’s successful transition to the Premier League with West Ham, there’s optimism that Clarke, making a similar move this summer, can replicate that success. This prospect is undoubtedly exciting for West Ham supporters.
While the Black Cats may prefer a gradual process, initiating a bidding war to secure the highest possible price for the player, their strategic move could be to facilitate an early sale to a club like West Ham. This would provide Sunderland with sufficient time to identify and integrate a replacement or replacements for the player.
Considering that Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, has recently expressed optimism about the player moving on this summer, Sunderland, unless they secure promotion, should pragmatically acknowledge the likelihood of parting ways with him. In such a scenario, embracing the reality of the situation, cashing in on Clarke, and reinvesting the funds could be the most prudent course of action for the club.