Jack Clarke Lighting Up Championship with Sunderland

Former Tottenham wonderkid Jack Clarke is causing a stir in the Championship with his impressive performances for Sunderland this season. The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals, helping the Black Cats secure sixth place in the table. Now, five Premier League teams are reportedly vying for his signature.

Brentford, West Ham, and Crystal Palace Interested

Brentford, West Ham, and Crystal Palace are among the clubs preparing bids for Clarke in this transfer window. Brentford, in particular, are in desperate need of goals to avoid a relegation battle. Meanwhile, Palace will be without Michael Olise due to injury and are looking to strengthen their squad. West Ham sees Clarke as a valuable addition to their team as they aim for another European finish.

Immediate Impact at West Ham?

With injuries to Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen, Clarke could make an immediate impact if he joins West Ham at the London Stadium. The club is also interested in Ajax's Steven Bergwijn. However, there are two other unnamed teams in the hunt for Clarke's signature.

Sunderland Keen to Keep Hold of Key Man

Despite the interest from Premier League clubs, Sunderland is determined to hold on to Clarke. New manager Michael Beale believes Clarke can help lead the Black Cats back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017. It is expected that Sunderland will demand a substantial fee for the talented forward, as they previously turned down a £15 million offer from Burnley last summer.

Clarke's Journey So Far

Clarke joined Tottenham from Leeds in 2019 but has yet to make a top-flight appearance. He has had loan spells at Leeds, QPR, and Stoke before joining Sunderland on loan in 2021. After helping them win promotion from League One, Clarke made his move to Sunderland permanent. In 45 Championship games last season, he scored nine goals, and this season he has already netted 12 goals in 26 games.

Stay tuned for more transfer news and deals this January.