Jack Clarke picked up where he left off as Sunderland got their 2024-25 campaign underway.
The winger ended last season with 19 goal contributions, despite the Black Cats’ hugely disappointing run that ended in a 16th place finish.
Clarke received plenty of interest last term and was expected to move on from Sunderland this summer, but is still awaiting bids for his signature.
With his future unclear, Sunderland are making the most of still having him around and he has continued to play a key role in attack.
The 23-year-old pulled off his signature move to double the Black Cats’ lead against Cardiff City, and is currently expected to retain his position against Sheffield Wednesday next week.
There is only a few weeks left of the transfer window though and things could change in a matter of days, while fans will be desperate to see him stay at the Stadium of Light for another year.
Ian Harte shares mysterious social media post
Clarke’s agent, Ian Harte, appeared eager to stir things up over the weekend though, taking to X to share a photo at Sunderland’s training ground with the caption: “Nice afternoon at @SunderlandAFC.”
The post sent fans into a frenzy, with some believing it meant he was negotiating a move to the Premier League, while others were hopeful it meant the club was tying him down to a new contract.
Journalist James Copley was quick to play down supporters’ hopes though, replying on X with: “Think there was a game of some description at the AoL today. Don’t think this is a contract of transfer related.”
One supporter then responded with: “I really do think there’s something in it”, to which Copley said: “I’m told there isn’t.”
There is no chance Clarke will sign a new contract this summer
Sunderland fans are disappointed by Copley’s revelation, but they surely never believed Clarke was actually going to sign a new deal.
The forward looks a lot more likely to stay for the season now than he did a month ago, while it doesn’t appear that he would have too many complaints if that was the case either.
Clarke could become a hero if he helped Sunderland win promotion, while he would have the pick of the bunch next summer.
However, there is no doubting that he would actually leave next summer at the latest, and putting pen to paper on a new contract is a bad idea for him at this point.
Unless it was purely for Sunderland to receive more money when he left, Clarke needs to move to the Premier League soon before the club drag him down.
Of course, there is the chance that he could lead us to the top flight himself, but he won’t want to risk being stuck in the Championship longer than he needs to.
Clarke has earned his move to a Premier League club, but let’s just hope that doesn’t happen for another year.