Jack the lad Black Cats want to sign
SUNDERLAND are pushing to sign Jack Clarke from Tottenham on a permanent deal ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign.
Talks between Sunderland and Spurs over a permanent transfer to the Stadium of Light for the 21-year-old have taken place after Clarke’s impressive loan spell on Wearside last season.
He played a huge part in helping Alex Neil’s side earn promotion from League One last term, the winger showing up in the play-offs for the Black Cats when it mattered most.
Spurs are set to jet off to South Korea for a pre-season tour on July 9 and whether or not Clarke will be included in coach Antonio Conte’s squad remains to be seen.
He is heading into the final year of his deal with Spurs, for whom he signed from Leeds United in the summer of 2019.
Spurs are unlikely to want to lose him on a free next summer given they spent around £10m on the winger but have not seen Clarke flourish since his arrival.
He has made just three appearances for them, spending most of his time at the club on loan at Leeds, QPR, Stoke and Sunderland.
Clearly a player with bags of promise, a permanent move to the Stadium of Light this summer could give Clarke stability and a platform to kick on.
Last term Clarke made 20 appearances for the Black Cats, playing a pivotal role for them in the play-offs. It was Clarke who produced a fine assist for Neil’s side against Sheffield Wednesday in the second leg of the play-off semifinals.
The wideman burned down the lefthand side to deliver a cross into the path of Patrick Roberts in injury time to give the Black Cats a 2-1 win on aggregate.
In the final against Wycombe Wanderers, he was given a 29-minute cameo - replacing goalscorer Elliot Embleton as Sunderland triumphed 2-0 at Wembley.
With Spurs boasting an array of quality attackers who all sit ahead of Clarke, it would seem he is surplus to requirements in North London.
If he is not selected for their trip to South Korea then a permanent move away from Spurs should be on the cards.
However, there is also interest in Clarke from Sheffield United, who reached the Championship play-offs last season.
While their squad is better equipped to challenge for a playoff spot in the upcoming campaign, there is every chance Clarke’s history on Wearside could give Sunderland a boost in the race to sign the winger.
He enjoyed his time at the Stadium of Light and could play a key role in helping them stabilise themselves in the Championship next term.