Fresh Leeds United stance on potential Jack Clarke, Sunderland transfer emerges | OneFootball

Leeds United are in the queue for Jack Clarke, but the Sunderland winger is expected to join a Premier League side.

Sunderland's Jack Clarke is on Leeds United's transfer radar, but he is unlikely to make the switch back to West Yorkshire - owing to Premier League interest in the diminutive playmaker.

That's according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who state that a top flight switch is more likely for the 23-year-old winger with less than two weeks to go of the transfer window, despite Leeds holding interest in their academy graduate to replace new West Ham signing Crysencio Summerville.

The Black Cats have Clarke to thank for plenty of their recent success, with the player developing rapidly at the Stadium of Light over the last couple of years, and becoming one of the best attacking players in the second tier.

Sunderland's main man is a force of nature at times, with his fast dribbling, ball-carrying, and decisiveness in big moments making him a threat when attacking the box in the half-spaces, which is why he has caught the eye of so many in the league above the second tier.

Sunderland are somewhat at the mercy of Premier League sharks. According to Football Insider, the Black Cats believe it will be extremely difficult to hold onto the 23-year-old beyond the current campaign, with a contract that expires in 2026.

The Sunderland star is attracting interest from several top-flight clubs, including West Ham and Brentford.

The Northern Echo revealed that Clarke had emerged as a ‘key target’ for Southampton. Ipswich are said to be keen on the fleet-footed attacker as well and have previously been said to be plotting an £18 million offer, as per iNews.

Players such as Clarke were always likely to be near-certain to depart the club this summer, amid ongoing links to the likes of Crystal Palace and Wolves, which have seemingly been going on forever.

Not only has interest been vast, but Clarke's agent Ian Harte believes it's unlikely that the player will put pen to paper on fresh terms, which could force the Wearside club's hand this summer.

The latest on Jack Clarke's Sunderland future amid Leeds United interest

Clarke has rejected a new contract from Sunderland amid interest from Southampton and Leeds, according to Football Insider.

Leeds are "well aware" of the situation of their former academy graduate, who made his senior career debut for the Whites in 2018, according to journalist Mike McGrath.

It was reported earlier in the transfer window that the Mackems value Clarke at £18 million, but that price tag could now be inflated considering Leeds have received a significant amount of money in transfer fees from the likes of Summerville and Archie Gray - coupled with time running out in the current transfer window.

The 23-year-old left the Whites to sign for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2019, before returning to Elland Road on loan as part of the deal, and made 28 appearances in total for the West Yorkshire outfit before his temporary stint was over.

Now, the latest regarding Clarke comes from The Yorkshire Evening Post, who report that a bid in excess of £20 million for Clarke is likely to make the Black Cats think twice about cashing in this summer - whether that be that from Leeds or the Premier League.

Joe Donnohue believes that a move is unlikely at this stage for Clarke to return to Elland Road, but that a switch to Leeds cannot be ruled out, and that's down to whether Premier League interest materialises in the form of a concrete approach or one deemed sufficient by Sunderland between now and the transfer deadline.

The report states: "Currently, the Whites are down the pecking order for the winger's signature and although they are in the queue, at this stage, [Leeds are] unlikely to be his destination this summer."

Clarke has developed rapidly and become one of the most formidable attacking players in the division, all whilst playing a big part in plenty of the Wearside club's recent success out of League One and during their play-off campaign two seasons ago in the second tier.

The 23-year-old's contract expires in 2026, and with this in mind, the current window may be the best opportunity for the Black Cats to secure a big fee for him.

Clarke has been destined to end up in the Premier League sooner rather than later for some time now, and his departure is perhaps the most inevitable above all others at the Stadium of Light this summer.

Following Summerville's departure earlier this summer, Leeds will hope they can sign a replacement who has the same impact that the Championship Player of the Season made last term.

Clarke would replace plenty of his output, as it could be argued that they were the two best wide players in the division last season.

However, the top flight has always been his likeliest destination, and the latest update will have seen some Leeds fans' optimism dissipate somewhat, even though he is clearly a very ambitious target this summer.