Sunderland have less than two weeks to keep hold of Jack Clarke before the transfer window slams shut.
The winger attracted huge interest from the Premier League last season, as he enjoyed the highest-scoring season of his career (15 goals).
The likes of Southampton, West Ham and Lazio have been heavily linked with a move for Clarke, but are so far yet to make an official bid this summer.
The club are set to demand around £25 million for his signature, which appears to have put off any potential suitors.
Sunderland are still ‘keen’ for Clarke to sign new deal
While it is expected for interest to vamp up in the final weeks of the window, Sunderland are still ‘keen’ to tie Clarke down to a new contract.
Journalist Alan Nixon wrote on his Patreon: “Sunderland want to give star man Jack Clarke a new deal – but are struggling to sort out terms.
“Goalscoring wide man Clarke is fancied by several clubs but has been valued too high to move in the window.
“The Black Cats are keen to give Clarke a rise but have yet to come up with fresh terms that appeal to his camp.”
Sunderland have been working on a new deal for the 23-year-old all year, but rumours of him penning a new contract were quickly shut down earlier this week.
The Black Cats can’t offer the cash that Clarke needs
Clarke is said to be happy to stay on Wearside this season and won’t push for a move away, but getting him to put pen to paper on a new deal has so far seemed like a step too far.
It is unclear how much Clarke actually wants from the Black Cats, though it is believed he is currently raking in just less than £17k-per-week. Sunderland will surely have to offer a significant increase on his current wages if they were to at all match offers from the top flight.
The likes of Southampton’s current highest earners are making a whopping £70k-per-week, so it is very clear that the Wearside outfit can’t compete financially with these clubs.
Sunderland would have to make big changes to their policy to push the boat out for Clarke, but even then, it seems highly likely that he would leave if they weren’t promoted – the only difference being Regis Le Bris’ side would make a huge fee next summer.
Fans certainly won’t blame the club from trying to get him to sign a new contract, but it would be a massive surprise if they managed it.
Sunderland should really be focusing their money on bringing in a new No.9, as Clarke could still stay another season even without a new contract.