LATEST: An update on Jack Clarke’s contract at Sunderland

According to a Sunderland Echo update, talks between Sunderland and Jack Clarke are currently “dead in the water”.

Since the 2022–2023 season began, Clarke has grown to be the most important player for the Black Cats.

He was a late addition to the team, having joined on loan for the second part of the 2021–2022 season. He helped Sheffield Wednesday get to the play-off final, but they did not win promotion.

However, he elevated his game when he committed to Tottenham Hotspur permanently in the summer of 2022, making 50 appearances in competitive play with 11 goals and 14 assists.

He has been an even greater threat in front of goal this season than he was last, with 15 goals and 4 assists in 33 league games, which has piqued the curiosity of other teams.

If the 23-year-old can maintain his current level of performance through the end of the season, a move out of the Stadium of Light might become reality during the summer transfer window.

Clarke has remained a valuable asset for the Wearside club, despite the fact that the Black Cats have battled at times under Mick Beale and are currently outside the play-off zone.

Championship Table (as of February 19, current)

Team

P

GD

Points

9

Preston North End

33

-8

49

10

Sunderland

33

8

47

11

Watford

33

4

44

12

Bristol City

33

1

44

13

Middlesbrough

32

0

44

14

Cardiff City

32

-10

40

15

Birmingham City

32

-11

38

16

Plymouth Argyle

32

-3

37

That has made the former Leeds United player more vital since it has made up for a poor forward unit in recent years.

Updates on Jack Clarke’s contract status
The winger signed a four-year contract when he joined the team permanently in 2022, and his contract doesn’t expire until 2026.

As a result, he has more than two years remaining on his deal, giving the Black Cats a powerful negotiation stance heading into the summer.

It doesn’t appear as though he will sign an extension at this time, and Ian Harte, his agent, is hoping that he will leave the Stadium of Light in the summer.

Additionally, it has been said that negotiations between the team and Harte are currently dead on arrival, which would expedite a sale.

This summer, Sunderland will have to prepare for Jack Clarke’s exit.

When it comes to selling Clarke, the two-year mark is perhaps the Black Cats’ sweet spot.

They will most likely make the biggest offer for the 23-year-old at that moment.

The Wearside team runs the risk of losing him for free or at a discounted price if they don’t sign a new deal and don’t sell him during the upcoming window.

That would be bad because if they want to spend a significant amount of money on a replacement, they will need to earn a respectable fee for Clarke.

The Black Cats should prepare for the possibility of selling him this summer and find suitable successors.