Clarke continues to be on the radar of Premier League teams, with a potential approach expected in the upcoming summer.
Since joining Sunderland permanently from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022, the 23-year-old has been an outstanding asset for the Black Cats. In the previous season, he played a significant role in compensating for Ross Stewart’s injury problems and Ellis Simms’ recall, contributing greatly to Sunderland’s top-six finish alongside Amad Diallo.
This season, he has been even more impactful, demonstrating his prowess and highlighting why he deserves a chance to showcase his abilities in the Premier League.
| Jack Clarke’s 2023/24 campaign at Sunderland | |
|---|---|
| (As of March 22nd) [All competitions] | |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals | 15 |
| Assists | 4 |
Regrettably, he is presently sidelined due to an ankle ligament injury, which has hindered his ability to make an impact under interim manager Mike Dodds. Upon the revelation of the injury’s severity, many Black Cats supporters feared their season’s prospects were dim, a notion that has materialized with Dodds struggling to secure results without the team’s key player.
However, he is expected to return before the season concludes, and the former Tottenham player may aim to utilize the latter part of the campaign to showcase his talents, potentially attracting interest from other clubs ahead of the summer transfer window.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Sunderland holds a reasonably strong negotiating position. Nonetheless, a departure in the summer appears likely, particularly with the team’s prospects for reaching the playoffs appearing slim.
Crystal Palace transfer latest on Jack Clarke
In anticipation of Michael Olise’s potential departure in the summer, Crystal Palace has identified a couple of targets from the English Football League (EFL). According to reports from HITC, Palace is considering moves for Clarke and Hull City’s Jaden Philogene as they prepare for Olise’s potential exit.
Oliver Glasner’s team has previously enjoyed significant success by recruiting players from the English Football League (EFL), as seen with the acquisitions of Olise from Reading and Eberechi Eze from Queens Park Rangers.
In the event of Olise’s departure, Crystal Palace might consider pursuing Clarke or Philogene, further emphasizing the importance of Sunderland in readiness for the potential loss of their key player.
Sunderland need to brace themselves for Jack Clarke’s departure
Despite having two years remaining on his contract, Clarke is likely to attract significant interest in the summer transfer window, increasing the possibility of his departure from Sunderland.
Given the timing of his contract, the summer presents the best opportunity for the Black Cats to secure a substantial fee for his services.
Should the club opt to sell Clarke, they would require a considerable sum to acquire a suitable replacement. While his departure would create a significant void, players like Patrick Roberts could step up to fill the gap and make an impact.
Nevertheless, it’s evident that recruiting a replacement is essential. The recruitment team should already be scouting potential targets to mitigate the impact of Clarke’s potential departure.
Ideally, Clarke’s replacement should be an experienced player rather than a young prospect.
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