Sheffield United have been warned of Jack Clarke’s price tag as Sunderland’s stance on their talented forward has emerged.
Jack Clarke has been phenomenal for Sunderland this term and he’s carried on his form under the tutelage of Michael Beale.
The Englishman has scored or assisted in each of his three matches, including the vital winner against Hull City on Boxing Day and an equaliser from the spot against Rotherham United.
Across the season, Clarke has plundered an impressive 12 Championship goals as his stock and value continue to skyrocket at the Stadium of Light.
When a player is performing at such a high level in the second tier, Premier League clubs begin to take notice and several have shown their interest in the 23-year-old.
In their attempts to beat away the top flight scavengers with a stick, Sunderland have offered him a new contract, but those negotiations have reportedly reached an ‘impasse’.
The Black Cats are desperate to tie down their phenomenal talent as they want him to reach the Premier League with them instead of moving to a club that looks destined to be relegated to the Championship.
Sheffield United are targeting Jack Clarke but warned of price tag
Sheffield United are struggling at the bottom of the top flight and have to do a lot of work in the transfer window to stand any chance of staving off relegation.
Indeed, the Blades need miracles to finish above the dreaded dotted line and they believe Clarke can produce those miracles to keep them up.
According to reports, they’ve joined Burnley in the race to sign the Englishman, but he won’t come cheap.
It has been revealed previously that Sunderland value their prized possession at £25m+ with journalist Michael Graham saying the Black Cats are ‘under zero pressure’ to sell Clarke in this window.
This update suggests that the North East giants are unwilling to budge on their asking price and Graham believes not even an offer of £20m would be enough to get a deal done.
Sheffield United have no chance of striking a deal
Sheffield United can be admired for their ambition but there is next to no chance they’ll strike a deal with Sunderland, even if they meet the Black Cats valuation.
Clarke will know that the likelihood of the Yorkshire side playing Championship football next season is high, and he can’t run the risk of joining a club who are fighting at the bottom.
If he is to join a Premier League outfit, he’d want to go somewhere that can offer him stability, a route to progression and guaranteed football.
Several clubs could potentially offer him that, including West Ham, but as far as Sheffield United go, the Leeds United academy graduate is better off staying in the North East, at least until the summer.