“A cracking return” – Reaction given to Jack Clarke, Sunderland situation amid £18m Ipswich Town: View

Sunderland may be fearing the worst with Jack Clarke amid £18m Ipswich Town interest

“The Jack Clarke question is going to be the question that haunts Sunderland fans all summer – I think there is always a chance he’ll stay, but the club expect his departure, I think,”

“He’s arguably the biggest profile player that we’ve got on the books at Sunderland, but very suspiciously missing from any of the kit launch marketing that was done, which usually tells you that there’s something already in the works.

“The last few days I’ve seen speculation increase that he is potentially a target of Ipswich Town, who have just got promoted last season obviously, among others, you know, he’s got his suitors. West Ham have also been rumoured as well, even potential moves abroad with Lazio getting rebuffed last season, they might even come in.

“It’s a reported fee of anywhere between £18m and £23m, depending on your chosen source. That kind of money is a cracking return on Jack Clarke, and as long as it’s invested back in the playing staff, that could bolster the squad seriously.

“Plus, for me, since his injury sustained at Birmingham at the back end of last season, I think it’s fair to say he never really recaptured his best form.

“All that being said, if Sunderland were to break the current structure and go back in with an improved contract offer, Clarke’s agent – former Leeds and Sunderland full-back Ian Harte – has actually said that Jack would be happy to stay at Sunderland.

“Time will tell, but for this Mackem, I’d say I’m 80 per cent sure he’ll be off this summer.”

Sunderland must spend some money if Jack Clarke is sold

Sunderland are yet to spend any money on signings under new boss Regis Le Bris. The Mackems have made three additions to their squad so far this summer following last season’s 16th-placed finish in the second tier, bringing in Alan Browne, Simon Moore and Ian Poveda on free transfers.

If Clarke is sold before the end of the transfer window, Sunderland would be expected to reinvest some of the money they receive for the winger. The club paid transfer fees for several new players last season, and they will surely need to do the same again if they are going to push on in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign.

There is no doubt that losing a player of Clarke’s quality will impact Sunderland’s performances, and Irving believes it is likely that is going to be the case, even if his showings when returning from injury last season weren’t the best so they need to have a plan in place to adequately replace him and strengthen in other areas during the remainder of the transfer window.

Ian Poveda will not be seen as a Clarke replacement, as his best position is on the right-hand side of attack, so if Clarke does inevitably move on, there will need to be money set aside to find his successor.