West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace among PL clubs chasing £20m Sunderland transfer | OneFootball

Highlights

West Ham, Brentford and Crystal Palace are three of up to five Premier League clubs weighing up a move for Jack Clarke this January.

According to the Evening Standard, the Sunderland star is attracting the attention of several top flight clubs.

Clarke has been a standout figure in the Championship so far this season, and is the Black Cats’ top goal scorer in the league with a total of 12, as well as two assists.

His departure would be a real blow to Michael Beale’s side given their ambition to gain promotion to the Premier League.

However, it remains to be seen if a deal can be agreed with the Wearside outfit for the ex-Tottenham Hotspur player.

Jack Clarke transfer latest

Three London clubs are all looking to sign Clarke this window, as well as two unnamed sides.

Sunderland will face a battle to keep hold of the player this month, although the 23-year-old has a contract until the summer of 2026.

This puts the Championship side in a strong negotiating position as they have no immediate need to sell the player.

However, it is understood that an offer in the region of £20 million may be enough to convince the Wearside club to cash in on the winger.

Clarke signed for Sunderland as part of an initial loan deal with Spurs during the 2022 January window, before joining the club on a permanent basis that summer following the team’s promotion to the second tier.

He has been a crucial part of the side in the Championship, playing a key role in their rise to sixth place in their first term back at this level.

Sunderland are hoping to earn yet another top six finish this year, as they set their sights on a Premier League return.

Sunderland league position

The Black Cats are currently sixth in the second division table, with just one point separating Beale’s side from seventh place Hull City.

Clarke is likely to be key to the team’s hopes of finishing inside the top six given how important he is to the club.

His departure could be a huge blow to their chances of fighting for promotion, so it remains to be seen whether anyone will test their resolve on their £20 million asking price this month.

Next up for Sunderland is a clash away to second place Ipswich Town on 13 January.

Summer move makes more sense for Sunderland

It is no surprise that Clarke is attracting this much attention given how well he’s performed in the last 18 months.

He looks ready to compete in the Premier League again, having been unable to break into the Spurs team when he was younger.

The time away from the spotlight has helped him develop his game in the lower levels.

The forward is now one of the best in the division, and provides a strong attacking threat from the left flank, which makes him an obvious target for several teams in the top flight.

But, even if Sunderland receive an offer in excess of £20 million for Clarke this month, a deal in the summer seems a better option for the club.

It is unlikely this level of interest will die down completely by then, and his value should hold pretty well, so there should be no rush to cash in when he could be the key to fighting for promotion this season.

If a Premier League club is truly interested in signing him this month, then they will have to seriously test Sunderland's resolve with a big offer.