"If we somehow" - Jack Clarke, West Brom claim made on one condition | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Bromwich Albion and Sunderland are two clubs with differing ambitions for the remainder of this Championship season.

Although it seemed that the two sides would be locked in the play-off race which continues to heat up into the final weeks of the season, the complete contrast in form displayed by the Baggies and the Black Cats in recent times has seen them split off in two different directions, as Albion increased their grip on fifth place with a 2-0 win over Bristol City on Saturday.

"The best in the Championship..." - Jack Clarke claim made

One reason that Sunderland have struggled for form in recent weeks, aside from the uncertainty regarding who will officially be named as Michael Beale's successor, has been the injury sustained by Jack Clarke.

There was already somewhat of a toxic atmosphere at the Stadium of Light as results edged Mike Dodds' side away from the play-off picture, but the news that broke on February 28th, revealing Clarke's absence through an ankle ligament issue compounded what has been a miserable 2024 for the North East side.

Regardless, Football League World's West Brom Fan Pundit, Matt Smith, believes that Albion should target the 23-year-old as an audacious signing if promotion was achieved, as well as staking a claim based on his overall performances.

"I wasn't sure whether to push the boat out or go with a realistic signing on a free or with a fee," Smith said, when quizzed on potential summer targets. "I'm going to say it because he's probably the best player in the Championship, Jack Clarke."

"What he's done at Sunderland has been incredible. One of the best wingers in the Championship, he's brilliant to watch and it's great to see his potential shining through now after hitting a brick wall in his pathway," he continued.

"I think he's shown some great characteristics, not only as a player on the pitch but to me, it looks like he's got the right attitude and everything you'd want in a winger with his goals and assists."

West Brom should sign Jack Clarke on one condition

Given the fact that sides in the Premier League have kept tabs on the former Leeds United and Spurs winger's situation, Smith also believes that this would only be possible if top flight football was played at The Hawthorns for the first time in three years.

"The reason I've said Jack Clarke is that if Albion can manage to reach the Premier League - which is difficult to say now," he added.

"What's realistic? Because we don't know how much we're going to spend under the new ownership and what their plan is. Will we splash the cash or keep things tight and stick to what's worked under Carlos Corberan? I'm not sure.

"If we can somehow win promotion which, it doesn't look like Sunderland will, we all expect Clarke to leave in the summer.

Smith concluded: "It's probably just within the realms of realism. I wouldn't expect it to happen, but stranger things have probably happened, so who knows? If we go up and lose Johnston and Weimann, who knows? I've said Jack Clarke because I think he's the best player in the Championship."

West Bromwich Albion's summer targets

As Smith alluded to, nobody is really sure on how the club will operate this summer, with it being Shilen Patel's first transfer window as chairman after acquiring an 87.8% stake in B71, as well as it being uncertain which division they will be playing in next season at present.

Even though Clarke is currently on the sidelines, it would be expected that Sunderland will stand firm with their valuation of their talisman, which stands at north of the £20m mark, which would be a significant fee for Albion to pay even as a newly-promoted side.

are said to have maintained their interest after seeing a bid knocked back in January.

If West Brom were unable to acquire his services, they should turn their full focus to pursuing the aforementioned Mikey Johnston on a permanent deal, as the on-loan Celtic man has had a stunning impact since moving south in January, with six goals and one assist in just ten appearances so far.