Sunderland are pushing to sign Jack Clarke from Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent deal ahead of their upcoming Championship campaign. Talks between Sunderland and Spurs over a permanent transfer to the Stadium of Light for the 21-year-old have taken place, according to the Northern Echo, after Clarke's impressive loan spell on Wearside last season.
He played a huge part in helping Alex Neil's side earn promotion from League One last term, with the winger showing up in the play-offs for the Black Cats when it mattered most. Spurs are set to jet off to South Korea for a pre-season tour on July 9.
Whether or not Clarke will be include in Antonio Conte's squad remains to be seen. Clarke is heading into the final year of his deal with Spurs, who he signed for from Leeds United back in the summer of 2019.
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Spurs are unlikely to want to lose him on a free next summer given they spent around £10m on the winger, but have not seen Clarke flourish since his arrival. The winger has made just three appearances for them, spending most of his time at the club away on loan at Leeds, QPR, Stoke and Sunderland.
Clearly a player with has bags of promise, a permanent move to the Stadium of Light this summer could give Clarke stability and a platform to kick-on. Clarke would be a player who can grow in the Championship with Sunderland, helping them stabilise their position in the division before kicking on further down the line for a potential tilt at the Premier League again.
Last term saw Clarke make a total of 20 appearances for the Black Cats, with the winger playing a pivotal role for them in the play-offs. It was Clarke who produced a fine injury time assist for Neil's side against Sheffield Wednesday in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals, which saw the wide-man burn down the left-hand side to deliver a cross into the path of Patrick Roberts in injury time to give the Black Cats a 2-1 win on aggregate.
In the final against Wycombe Wanderers, he was given a 29-minute cameo, replacing goalscorer Elliot Embleton as Sunderland won the play-off final 2-0 at Wembley. With Spurs boasting an array of quality attackers who all sit ahead of Clarke right now, it would seem the 21-year-old is surplus to requirements.
If he is not selected for their trip to South Korea, then a permanent move away from Spurs should be on the cards. However, there is also interest in Clarke from Sheffield United, who reached the Championship play-offs last season.
While their squad is better equipped to challenge for a play-off spot in the upcoming campaign, there is every chance Clarke's history on Wearside could give Sunderland a boost in the race to sign the winger. The 21-year-old enjoyed his time at the Stadium of Light, and could play a key role in helping them stabilise themselves in the Championship next term.
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