Sunderland is considering options for potential signings following recent uncertainty surrounding Jack Clarke’s future with the club. Clarke’s status has been uncertain since last summer when Burnley expressed interest in him.
Despite his injury earlier this year, Clarke’s impressive performance, including 15 goals, has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, with Lazio being the only one to make a formal offer during the January transfer window.
With Sunderland’s promotion hopes fading, fans are coming to terms with the likelihood of Clarke leaving in the summer, a sentiment echoed by Ian Harte’s recent remarks. Harte, a football agent, indicated that Clarke is eager to continue playing regularly, hinting at a possible departure.
“There was an offer made but it wasn’t good enough. Every football club has its structures to work to but when you have a player like Jack sometimes structures have to be broken and I don’t think that is going to change unfortunately.
“We, meaning myself and Jack, were happy to sign an additional deal at Sunderland but I don’t think they are willing to budge, unfortunately. I think under the current structure that they have, I don’t think the offer will increase.”
With two years remaining on his contract this summer, the forward could potentially fetch Sunderland more than £20 million if he moves to the Premier League.
Kristjaan Speakman faces a significant challenge in finding a suitable replacement for Clarke’s quality, and failure to secure someone capable of scoring a comparable number of goals could have serious consequences for the club. Here are three candidates who could potentially fill the void left by Jack Clarke…
Morgan Whittaker
Securing Morgan Whittaker’s signature would offer Sunderland a dependable source of goals, although this pursuit appears to be quite ambitious due to his impressive track record.
At 23 years old, Whittaker currently shares the top spot as the leading goal scorer in the Championship, having netted 18 goals for Plymouth Argyle this season, alongside providing seven assists.
Given his remarkable talent, Whittaker might be enticed by a potential move away from Plymouth, especially if the club faces relegation.
Notably, Lazio previously attempted to sign him when they were unsuccessful in their bid for Clarke, while other clubs like West Ham and Fulham have also expressed interest in acquiring his services.
Scott Twine
Scott Twine experienced considerable success during his tenure with MK Dons in League One, where he showcased his prowess by scoring an impressive tally of 20 goals and providing 13 assists.
However, the 24-year-old’s transition to Burnley in the Championship for a fee of £4 million didn’t yield much playing time, given the strength of the Clarets squad.
Twine embarked on a loan spell with Hull City in the initial part of this season, where he initially struggled to settle but eventually found his rhythm, scoring four goals in his last ten appearances.
Subsequently, he moved to Bristol City on loan and made a goal-scoring debut, albeit his time there has been hampered by injuries.
Despite encountering challenges in establishing a consistent presence in the Championship, Twine’s versatility as a winger and attacking midfielder renders him a valuable asset if he can recapture his previous form.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Sunderland had previously been associated with an interest in Rak-Sakyi during the January transfer window, but ultimately, the winger remained with Crystal Palace.
Rak-Sakyi garnered praise for his outstanding performances, having amassed 15 goals and eight assists during his loan spell with Charlton Athletic last season.
Despite making six brief appearances for Crystal Palace at the beginning of the current campaign, the 21-year-old has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since November.
Additionally, the appointment of new manager Oliver Glasner may pose a challenge to Rak-Sakyi’s aspirations for consistent playing time.