Southampton are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Sunderland’s Jack Clarke, but it is unclear whether they will make a move this month or try and wait until the summer.
Earlier in the season, Clarke scored in the first minute against Southampton, signifying the beginning of a crushing 5-0 defeat for the Saints. The winger has scored 12 Championship goals in total this season, as well as providing two assists, and his form is attracting a lot of interest.
As well as Southampton, Championship leaders Leicester City are also monitoring Clarke’s situation, whilst reports suggest Premier League clubs West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Everton and Bournemouth are all keen on the 23-year-old. Burnley also remain interested, having had a £10 million bid rejected in the summer.
Clarke started his career at Leeds United and his performances impressed Tottenham Hotspur enough to spend an initial £8.5 million to sign the then-18-year-old in 2019 but he only played four times for the club before reviving his career at Sunderland.
Now, four-and-a-half years after that move to Spurs, it looks as though Clarke could be set for a big move once more.
Could Southampton sign Jack Clarke?
Southampton appear to have prioritised the signing of a winger this January, with the likes of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and Bournemouth’s David Brooks having been linked with loan moves already this window – Burnley’s Manuel Benson being another winger piquing the club’s interest.
Clarke fits the category of winger, but he tends to play from the left whilst the other targets Southampton have identified play primarily from the right.
With so much Premier League interest in Clarke, it will be very difficult for Russell Martin‘s side to persuade the former England under-20 international to pick St Mary’s as his destination. However, they may benefit from Clarke’s previous failed Premier League move.
The price is also likely to be a sticking point for Southampton who will not be looking to break the bank over the next few weeks. Prior to being sacked as Sunderland manager, Tony Mowbray said about Clarke’s price: “I don’t know what he is worth now. More than £10m? I would think so!”
Mowbray went on to say: “I know for a fact that the club wouldn’t even consider anything less than probably double that in the modern market of football. I do think the club should be ready [for interest] because people will look at Jack Clarke either in this window or in the summer because he is a phenomenal talent”.
Only Adam Armstrong – who has improved greatly this season – and Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie Szmodics have scored more Championship goals than Clarke campaign and his price is likely to reflect that. Southampton have primarily been linked with loans this window and may have to sell in order to buy.
Che Adams may leave the club if a suitable offer is received given the club could lose the striker for free with his contract expiring in the summer, whilst Mason Holgate may see his loan from Everton cut short due to lack of football.
It is likely that Southampton’s best bet is to hope that Clarke remains a Sunderland player this month and, should Martin guide the club to promotion, they can revisit a possible deal in the summer as a Premier League club.