A Premier League club has now held provisional talks with a Sunderland player.
Sunderland and Kristjaan Speakman have put together a very valuable first-team squad, with one that boasts a lot of further potential too.
Although Sunderland fans have criticised Speakman, he’s earned praise for some of his transfer business in recent years.
Journalist Michael Graham has also praised Speakman for securing new deals for the likes of Dan Ballard and Chris Rigg this summer, with both signing on deals until 2027.
This summer, all of Anthony Patterson, Ballard, Jobe Bellingham, Rigg, and Jack Clarke have had suitors in the Premier League with the likes of Rigg and Bellingham having links to Europe as well.
Going into this summer, many backed Clarke to be the one who’d most likely leave the Stadium of Light this summer, following another impressive season in the Championship.
And now it’s been revealed that a Premier League club has held provisional talks with Clarke.
Ipswich Town hold provisional talks with Sunderland man Jack Clarke
Earlier this month, it was claimed that Ipswich Town were readying an £18million bid for Clarke, but that Sunderland were commanding £25million for the player.
Now, an emerging report from Ipswich Town site TWTD has revealed that Clarke is ‘just one of a number of left-sided forwards on Town’s list of potential recruits’, ahead of their 2024/25 Premier League season.
The same report adds that Town’s contact with the Sunderland is ‘very much provisional at this stage’.
Clarke has already been linked with the likes Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Wolves this summer, with Tottenham Hotspur due a 25% sell-on clause should Clarke leave Sunderland.
He remains under contract with the Black Cats until 2026.
The ball is in Ipswich Town’s court where Jack Clarke is concerned
Clarke and Sunderland appear to have set their stall out this summer; Sunderland won’t sell for less than what they think he’s worth, which appears to be at least £20million owing to varying reports, whilst Clarke isn’t counting on a summer move.
The winger previously spoke out on his Sunderland future and hinted at being happy to stay for another year.
He’s making huge strides in his development after what was a tough and perhaps premature move to the Premier League with Spurs way back in 2019.
And the Black Cats may put more effort into keeping Clarke for another year as they look to challenge near the upper-end of the Championship table under new head coach Regis Le Bris next season.