Crystal Palace will reportedly compete with West Ham United for 23-year-old Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, valued at £20 million.
According to a report by Football Insider, Jack Clarke is the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The 23-year-old winger is also a target for West Ham United, who failed with a bid worth £15 million to sign him in the winter transfer window. Meanwhile, Sunderland will demand £20 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window.
Who is Jack Clarke?
Jack Clarke has established himself as one of the best wingers in the EFL Championship this season. A native of York, the Englishman graduated from the Leeds United youth division after spending his formative years with the West Yorkshire club. Tottenham snapped him up in July 2019, but he could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad at the North London club.
Sunderland eventually snapped the 23-year-old up in 2022 after a short loan spell in the second half of the 2021/22 season. And he has come leaps and bounds at the Stadium of Light. Clarke is enjoying an excellent 2023/24 campaign, contributing to 19 goals in 35 appearances thus far, finding the back of the net 15 times while providing four assists.
The youngster’s progress at Sunderland AFC has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several Premier League clubs. West Ham United attempted to sign him in the winter transfer window before a move failed to materialise. While the Hammers remain interested ahead of the summer, they face stiff competition from Crystal Palace.
London Calling?
Crystal Palace also considered signing Jack Clarke in the January transfer window. And the continued interest in the Englishman is understandable, with Jordan Ayew on the wrong side of 30. In addition, Michael Olise faces an uncertain future at Selhurst Park, with many high-profile clubs interested in him. So, Clarke has emerged as a viable target for Crystal Palace.
As for West Ham, the Hammers are also in the market for a wide attacker, with Maxwel Cornet unlikely to be a long-term solution on the left flank. In addition, Jarrod Bowen is popular in the market. So, West Ham must sign a wide attacker, with Clarke being an option worth considering.
Sunderland will demand £20 million to part ways with the 23-year-old English winger. That seems like a fair asking price, considering the player’s progress in the last 18 months. So, it will be interesting to see if West Ham and Crystal Palace are ready to shell out £20 million to sign Jack Clarke.
