Reports indicate that Sunderland winger Jack Clarke may be open to a return to Leeds United this summer. The 23-year-old recently declined a contract offer from Sunderland, fueling speculation about his potential move back to Elland Road.
Clarke, who has been a popular figure at Sunderland since joining from Tottenham, is reportedly interested in rejoining Leeds United. Football Insider has highlighted his desire to return to his former club.
Leeds United is aware of Clarke’s situation and, according to Mike McGrath, the club is exploring options to find a suitable replacement for Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville. Clarke, who came through Leeds’ academy before moving to Tottenham for £8.5 million, struggled in London and moved to Sunderland in 2022.
If Clarke were to leave Sunderland after a three-year tenure, the club would look for other players in their squad to step up and fill the void on the left wing.
| Jack Clarke’s all-time statistics at Sunderland (all comps) per FlashScore | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 23/24 | 42 | 15 | 4 |
| 22/23 | 50 | 11 | 13 |
| 21/22 | 20 | 1 | 3 |
Like Clarke, there is another ex-Tottenham winger in the squad – promising talent Romaine Mundle.
Jack Clarke exit opens door for Romaine Mundle
Mundle joined Sunderland from Belgian side Standard Liege on the January transfer deadline day of 2024 for a fee of £2.5 million. His talent has been evident both last season and during pre-season. Having moved from Tottenham to Belgium like Clarke, Mundle made only six appearances for Liege but impressed Sunderland with his potential.
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, known for his track record of nurturing young talent from his previous roles at youth academies such as Rennes and Lorient, is keen to give Mundle an opportunity. The 21-year-old is among the players aiming to seize this chance.
In an interview with the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris spoke about Mundle and teammate Abdoullah Ba, emphasizing the need for consistency and the ability to create opportunities to secure a spot in the starting XI. He noted, “They have the specific talent to create imbalance, but they are still young in the game.”
Mundle has given Sunderland fans glimpses of his potential despite limited game time, with only 11 Championship appearances last season and one goal scored in a 4-2 loss to Southampton. His strong pre-season performance and a promising showing in Sunderland’s 2-0 defeat to Preston North End in the League Cup have increased fan anticipation for more regular appearances from the 21-year-old.
The departure of Clarke could further enhance Mundle’s chances of securing a more prominent role. He has already made brief appearances in Sunderland’s two Championship victories, including a 4-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday.
While Mundle might still get opportunities even if Clarke remains, the latter’s departure could accelerate Mundle’s development by increasing his exposure and challenging him to step up at the Stadium of Light.
Mundle has the potential to fill Clarke’s boots
Despite limited game time, Mundle has demonstrated significant promise. While he may still be a few years away from reaching Clarke’s level, patience will be essential. Le Bris is likely to involve the young winger more than initially planned, given his potential.
Mundle possesses impressive pace that could trouble Championship defenders. If he can achieve the consistency that Le Bris has highlighted, he may contribute with both goals and assists. Though it remains uncertain whether he will reach Clarke’s level, the £2.5 million transfer fee indicates confidence in his abilities. Sunderland has been a nurturing environment for emerging talent, and Le Bris, with his experience in developing young players, seems well-positioned to help Mundle grow into a starting role. However, Mundle will need time to prove he is the right successor to Clarke.