West Ham United are uninterested in meeting Sunderland’s £20 million valuation of Jack Clarke this month, and a January transfer seems complicated.
Football Insider has claimed that West Ham United would not meet Sunderland’s £20 million asking price for Jack Clarke this month. The Hammers are one of the clubs keen on the attacker in January, although with the price problem, a summer move seems more likely.
West Ham United refusing to pay Jack Clarke’s asking price
Jack Clarke has been one of the best performers in the Championship this season, with some of the Premier League clubs already expressing an interest. Sunderland are aware of some of those suitors, and are hoping to keep the English attacker, who has scored 13 goals this season, at least until the summer.
Sunderland are aware they may not have the power to keep hold of the winger if a vital offer comes along and have since placed a £20 million asking price for the January transfer window. West Ham United are one of the clubs interested in the winger. But the Hammers are not keen on meeting the asking rate.
Brentford and Crystal Palace are also keen, but the Hammers may have the upper hand in proceedings. However, they might seek talks with Sunderland on the asking price and will refuse to bid £20 million or more for the Black Cats’ top performer.
The Hammers are keen on adding a left winger on their side, with suggestions that David Moyes might get rid of one of Pablo Fornals or Said Benrahma either now or in the summer. Clarke, for his part, may have his head turned by this interest. But he might leave the decision to the club, especially in midseason.
Jack Clarke to leave Sunderland?
The chances of any player from the Championship getting his head turned by a Premier League club is always high. With Clarke, he has a contract with Sunderland until 2026, which might give the Wearside club more power in the decision-making.
There are suggestions that if Sunderland fails to achieve promotion to the Premier League, Clarke will leave the club in the summer. The Black Cats might want him until the end of the season to help push for a playoff spot, something they achieved last season before failing to progress.
Hence, the chances of moving to the Premier League are sky-high for Clarke. The left winger might want to prove himself again in the top division, having had an insignificant stint with Tottenham when he was 18.