Sunderland did exceptionally well to ward off interest for Jack Clarke in the summer.
Clarke netted nine goals and provided 12 assists in the Championship last season, however he didn’t seem too phased by Burnley’s low-ball bids and ended up staying on Wearside.
Clarke has now almost matched his goal tally for last season by bagging seven goals in 11 games, and so the interest has started back up again.
With almost three months to go until the transfer window opens again, Brentford and Burnley are already preparing to bid for Clarke in the January transfer window.
Recent reports have also claimed the Black Cats could be willing to accept a bid of around £15 million – news that supporters definitely won’t want to hear.
With Mason Burstow yet to get off the mark, Sunderland have been relying on Clarke for goals and could be left without a major attacking threat if they are to part ways with him in the new year.
Sunderland fans will be praying they can keep hold of him until at least the summer, however Kristjaan Speakman will have to start looking at some other options if he is to leave for the Premier League.
Here are four (quite ambitious) targets that Sunderland could look at to replace Clarke.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would undoubtedly be one of the first names on Sunderland’s shortlist, given their heavy interest in the forward during the summer.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan with Charlton Athletic and was named their Player of the Year as he scored 15 goals and bagged eight assists in League One.
Rak-Sakyi was expected to leave on loan in the summer transfer window but remained at Crystal Palace and has made four appearances off the bench.
The Eagles could be willing to send Rak-Sakyi out on loan in January and his arrival could be a temporary resolution to Clarke’s potential exit.
Ben Doak
Ben Doak would be a very ambitious move considering his presence in Liverpool’s senior team this season.
The 17-year-old joined the Reds from Celtic last year and has quickly moved up the youth ranks before enjoying a brilliant pre-season with the senior team.
Doak made his Premier League debut in the opening day draw with Chelsea, before making his first start against LASK in the Europa League last month.
The youngster hasn’t featured in the top flight in two months though and Sunderland could make an attempt at luring him to the Championship on loan.
He would be an unbelievable signing for the Black Cats, though it is unclear whether Jurgen Klopp would be open to letting him leave on loan given their busy schedule.
Simon Adingra
This could have been a likely loan deal in the summer, however his emergence under Roberto De Zerbi maybe makes a move to Wearside harder to believe.
Simon Adingra claimed 23 goal contributions in all competitions whilst on loan with Union Saint-Gilloise last season and it was thought that Brighton’s brilliant attacking talent would keep him out of the first team.
However, the Ivorian has started three games for the Seagulls this season and already has two goals to his name – including the opener against Liverpool at the weekend.
Adingra would be another brilliant signing for Sunderland, but De Zerbi could be tempted to keep him around following his impressive performances recently.
Oscar Bobb
Another young, exciting winger from the Premier League is Oscar Bobb.
The 20-year-old joined Man City’s academy in 2019 and was named by The Guardian as the best young talent at the club in his age group.
Bobb stunned the U21 side last season, scoring six goals and racking up a whopping 17 assists in the PL2 Division 1.
The Norwegian’s brilliant displays caught Pep Guardiola’s eye and he went onto make his Premier League debut last month, before making a cameo appearance in the Champions League.
Bobb is clearly a huge talent but is nowhere near a regular place in the starting line-up. Pep could be tempted to let him leave on loan in January and I’m sure he will have heard good things about the Black Cats.