Mow probs over Clarke

THERE’S a time to sell a star player and a time to keep them.

Timing is key. When can you extract maximum price for minimum impact? Have you got replacements lined up – perhaps several new faces funded by one sale?

The club will be weakened by a star departure, but will it be strengthened in the long term by spending the cash raised wisely?

Sunderland face a big dilemma in January with winger Jack Clarke at its centre.

It’s a good, and bad problem to have. The ball sticks to his foot as he weaves his way out of tight situations, and makes goals for Tony Mowbray’s side.

Clarke was bought by Spurs for £10million as a teenager, but only at Sunderland has the 22-year-old really thrived.

He will be key to the Black Cats mounting a run to the play-offs this season.

But then again he may be key to the medium term future of the club.

Premier League Burnley tried to get him in the summer, upping bids from a derisory £5m to £10m but he’s worth way more than that and they were sent packing.

Clarke would certainly bolster most Premier League squads and could be in demand again when the transfer window opens.

It is an interesting test for owner Kyril Louis-dreyfus. For the first time in decades Sunderland are signing young, developing players and building value in their squad.

In a couple of years Jobe Bellingham, bought for £3m and now running the midfield at 17, could be worth 10 times that amount. Sunderland will have to sell if they aren’t in the top flight by then.

Clarke is the current asset catching the eye. If someone bid £25m, could Sunderland buy two new young stars to bring on, and be stronger?

It’s a good problem to have. Spend the money wisely and they can build back even better.