Not only has interest been vast, but Clarke’s agent Ian Harte believes it’s unlikely that the player will put pen to paper on fresh terms, which could force the Wearside club’s hand this summer.
Clarke has since rejected a new contract from Sunderland amid interest from Southampton and Leeds, according to Football Insider. Meanwhile, Leeds are “well aware” of the situation of their former academy graduate, who made his senior career debut for the Whites in 2018, according to journalist Mike McGrath.
Graeme Bailey has confirmed that Leeds are in the mix to sign Clarke this summer, should he leave Sunderland before next week’s deadline. The journalist believes that Clarke would also welcome a return to Elland Road, but the Whites also face competition in the race to his signature.
“They are in the mix for Jack Clarke and [I’m] told the player would be happy to move to Elland Road, but there is a lot of interest – the player is expecting to leave Sunderland this month,” said Bailey, via TBR Football.
The Leeds United verdict on Sunderland’s £25 million of Jack Clarke
The Yorkshire Evening Post state that a Premier League switch is more likely for the 23-year-old winger with less than two weeks to go of the transfer window, despite Leeds holding interest in their academy graduate to replace new West Ham signing Crysencio Summerville.
Not only that, but Sunderland have set an asking price of £25 million for Clarke amid interest from Leeds, according to TEAMtalk. They report that the Black Cats are looking for a fee similar to the one Leeds received for the sale of Summerville.
FLW’s Leeds United fan pundit Kris Smith is not expecting a deal to be done if the finances are as expensive as that, despite his admiration for Clarke as a player who he believes belongs in the top flight.
