Sunderland: 2022 reunion was a no-brainer and is set to earn Black Cats millions – View
After winning promotion in the summer of 2022, Sunderland knew they’d have to strengthen their squad to compete in the Championship and as part of that, they announced the signing of Jack Clarke on a permanent basis from Tottenham.
Clarke spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan with the Black Cats in League One, and despite not making a huge impact during his short-term loan at the Stadium of Light, Alex Neil moved to sign him permanently that summer, signing a four-year deal on Wearside.
The winger had looked a decent player during his loan spell, but nobody would have envisaged just how successful Clarke would be for Sunderland after signing on a permanent basis, and it proved a remarkably shrewd piece of business.
Two years on and Clarke’s performances mean that he’s likely to move on this summer, but the Black Cats can rest assured that they’re set to receive a hefty fee should he leave.
Jack Clarke has been a fantastic signing for Sunderland
Since joining on a permanent basis, Clarke has developed a reputation as Sunderland’s star player and one of the best attackers in the entire division.
During the 2022/23 season, an unfancied Sunderland side made it into the play-offs despite only winning promotion the year before and Clarke played an instrumental role in that.
In total, the York-born winger made 50 appearances, scoring 11 times and registering 14 assists as he began to show just why Spurs had signed him from Leeds United as a youngster.
It was clear that he’d improved since his initial loan spell at the club, despite the jump in division, and Clarke proved this wasn’t a one-off with his form during the most recent campaign.
The former Leeds man improved on his first full season at the Stadium of Light, scoring 15 league goals and registering four assists from 40 appearances, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that Sunderland finished 16th.
It looks likely that Clarke could depart this summer and Sunderland can have no complaints.
It was a no-brainer to sign the winger permanently after his short-term loan spell but you’d have struggled to find someone who’d have thought that the Leeds academy product would do as well as he has done.
Jack Clarke looks set to make Sunderland a lot of money
If January is anything to go by, Sunderland should receive a lot of interest in Clarke and now might be the right time to cash in.
He’s got a contract at the Stadium of Light until 2026, so now might be the right time to sell as otherwise Sunderland could be forced to sell for cheaper next summer.
His stock is high right now and if Sunderland have another poor season, they run the risk of lowering his value.
In January, the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Brentford were linked with moves, and Italian giants Lazio were said to be keen to bring him to Serie A.
The Hammers are said to be keen on the winger again this summer while the Bees and newly-promoted Southampton have also been touted with an interest in the attacker, who will likely command fee in the region of £15-20 million.
Spurs will see some of that cash but the rest could be reinvested to strengthen new boss Regis Le Bris’ squad.
Clarke’s signing has been a perfect example of how a Championship side can thrive in the transfer market, and he’ll make the Black Cats big money if and when he leaves. Signing the winger was a no-brainer, and Sunderland are set to reap the rewards.
