Former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson says Jack Clarke would be a “tremendous addition” to the club’s attack if they can lure him to Elland Road.
Clarke was sold to Tottenham in July 2019, but after a number of loan spells moved permanently to Sunderland in 2022 – following a strong League One loan spell with the Black Cats in 2021/22.
The 23-year-old winger enjoyed the best season of his career so far in 2023/24, scoring 15 goals and providing four assists in 40 Championship games, despite Sunderland crashing out of the promotion race to finish 16th.
Clarke’s form has reportedly attracted the attention of a number of Premier League clubs, with West Ham most strongly linked after Burnley also had a bid rejected last summer.
Grayson backs Leeds return for ‘incredible’ Clarke
Sunderland are believed to be resigned to losing Clarke this summer with bids expected soon.
But a return to Leeds United? It seems unlikely, but former boss Grayson would surely love to see Clarke join an already talented Whites forward line for their promotion next season.
“Jack Clarke has had an outstanding season but it has to be a Premier League team for him to leave Sunderland,” Grayson said (via the Yorkshire Evening Post ).
“Leeds had to sell him for financial reasons before, but he would be an incredible addition. With Willy Gnonto, Dan James, Crysencio Summerville, Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe, Leeds have strikers who would fit in with so many Premier League teams. Let’s go into the summer and see what happens, he would be an incredible weapon to have.”