Sunderland are set for their most intense summer transfer window in a while.
Kristjaan Speakman comes under heavy pressure after his recent transfer business and desperately needs to redeem himself in the coming months if Sunderland are to battle for promotion.
As well as bringing in new players, Sunderland will also face the huge challenge of keeping hold of their prized assets.
Practically their entire starting line-up has attracted interest from the Premier League and they have already received bids for Jobe Bellingham from a number of clubs.
Sunderland are eager to keep hold of the midfielder though, while the likes of Dan Neil, Trai Hume and Dan Ballard aren’t expected to go anywhere either.
There is plenty of concern around Jack Clarke’s future though, with the winger wanted by half of the top flight.
The Black Cats will demand at least £18 million for the attacker, but sides appear to have so far been put off by his valuation.
- READ MORE: Kristjaan Speakman warned ‘to be careful’ over hefty price tag of ‘talented’ Sunderland gem
Jack Clarke wants to be in the Premier League now
The club would be eager to see him remain at the Stadium of Light, however failure to tempt him into signing a new deal may force through his exit.
While it is believed that he is happy on Wearside, journalist Michael Graham has claimed that he wants to play in the Premier League ‘ASAP’.
He wrote on X: “Wouldn’t like to predict as we all know how serious #SAFC are about sustainability. Probably rightly so too given what’s going on at Hull. But I think Clarke wants to be a Premier League player asap, so always going to be hard to keep him without promotion.”
Should Sunderland fight to keep hold of him?
It seems like Sunderland will only keep hold of Clarke if no other club decides to match their valuation.
The Black Cats are under no pressure to sell and so surely won’t budge on their price tag, but if a top flight team do offer £18m for his services then it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see him leave.
Keeping Clarke on Wearside for another year could be the difference between getting promoted and not though, so it’s whether the club are ready to take the risk of losing him for cheaper next summer.