Sunderland should be able to ‘fend off’ the interest for Jack Clarke’s signature in January.
That’s according to commentator Nick Barnes, who said he ‘can’t see’ the winger leaving Wearside in the transfer window.
Jack Clarke made his time in Sunderland permanent last summer after a rather underwhelming loan spell in League One, however he has taken it up a notch since winning promotion.
The 22-year-old was the subject of multiple bids from Burnley after he netted nine goals and provided 12 assists last season, however interest has dramatically increased after Clarke already matched his goal tally for last term in over 30 games less.
TEAMtalk reported last month that Crystal Palace and Brighton had joined Burnley in the race for Clarke, while Brentford, Wolves and Bournemouth had also been monitoring Clarke’s form in the Championship.
Sunderland are likely to expect more offers for the forward in January, but Nick Barnes doesn’t think any club will be willing to cough up the cash to tempt the Black Cats into selling.
Writing for Roker Report, Barnes said: “I am sure the club can fend off much of the interest, especially since they have diligently tied players to new contracts and so the ball remains very much in the club’s court.
“Jack Clarke remains the player who will attract the most interest, but if the club are in the top six and a credible promotion challenge is once again on the horizon, the club has said earlier this season he won’t be moved on – and I can’t see a Premier League club spending big on Clarke in January.
“IF one does – and you’d like to think any offer below £25 million would be batted away – one would hope a loan back deal could be brokered. One has to take into account that any sale will surely involve a percentage heading to Tottenham Hotspur so the deal has to make financial sense to Sunderland in the wider scheme of their project.”
How much is Jack Clarke worth?
Keane Lewis-Potter joined Brentford in a £20 million deal last summer, after having one quality season in the Championship in which he scored 12 goals.
There is no denying that Jack Clarke is a better player and would probably have more of an impact in the Premier League too, so for any club to think they can bid less than £25m for him is crazy.
But it would definitely be a surprise to see any side come up with such a figure in January, whilst I also doubt that Jack Clarke would really be that bothered about leaving halfway through the season.
The winger clearly loves Sunderland and will be desperate to try and help us get promoted, while he could have a much longer list of clubs to choose from in the summer if we fail.
There is no chance we will be parting ways with Clarke in the new year, and if we do then we can wave any chance of promotion goodbye.