Sunderland are in the market for a Jack Clarke replacement as rumours of his departure persist, would Kwame Poku be a good signing?
Sunderland’s standout performer this season has been 22-year-old Jack Clarke. The left-sided winger has found himself the target of Premier League interest thanks to his nine goals and one assist this season in the Championship.
There are believed to be multiple top-division sides interested in acquiring Clarke for the £20m asking price that Sunderland has reportedly placed on him.
This has left Tony Mowbray‘s side looking eagerly for a replacement, with Alexander Aravena a name linked with arriving. However, Peterborough United’s Kwame Poku could be seen as an easier deal to do. Now pundit Carlton Palmer giving his approval of the 22-year-old.
Palmer approves of Poku
Palmer was speaking to Football League World when he discussed whether Poku could be a good signing for Sunderland.
“Sunderland are also believed to be keen on signing Kwame Poku, potentially as a replacement for Jack Clarke in the January transfer window,
“Poku fits the criteria of Sunderland’s signing policy, still only 22, with seemingly a bright future ahead of him. Ipswich, who are another club looking to gain promotion, are said to be tracking Poku’s progress.”
Palmer then continued to pose an intriguing question, “The question mark is, can Poku make the step up to Championship football from League One? And the consensus is they believe he can.”
Can Poku replace Clarke?
As Palmer mentioned the only real concern over Poku’s suitability to the role will be whether he can make the step up or not.
However, his stats for the 2023-24 season so far indicate that he could. Poku has scored six goals along with assisting six, all in just 16 League One games.
Rising up a division you would probably expect his numbers to take a small hit and a potential learning process before he can replicate in the Championship.
No doubt a player with talent, however signing Poku alongside retaining Clarke will be the dream move. Giving the new arrival some back-up until he’s firing, also he could easily slot in on the right side instead which could make for a really dangerous pairing on the wings.