"He's a credit to football" - Pundit issues Jack Clarke claim as Leeds United eye Sunderland ace | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has been speaking with FLW over the situation surrounding Jack Clarke and the size of the decision Sunderland have to make.

Highlights

Sunderland are hoping that star winger Jack Clarke will sign a long-term contract extension at the Stadium of Light with Leeds United reportedly circling, and pundit Carlton Palmer believes

Clarke has reportedly turned down a new deal at Sunderland, as the Black Cats look to tie him down before his contract expires in the summer of 2026.

Leeds are seemingly keeping a very close eye on the situation as they look to find their Crysencio Summerville replacement, and a reunion with Clarke would fit the bill.

Southampton are also said to be interested in the forward, who has taken the Championship by storm over the last couple of seasons, with the former Spurs academy graduate now holding a major claim as the best winger in the division.

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, Palmer believes that if Sunderland are in the mix for Premier League promotion come the new year, then the Black Cats hierarchy are going to have a big decision on their hands over what to do with Clarke.

Palmer said: "Sunderland have had a fantastic start to the new season, two wins out of two and sit joint-top of the Championship with Burnley and Watford.

"Once again, Jack Clarke has had another fantastic start to the season. He scored 15 goals last season, and he's just playing out of his skin.

"The 23-year-old currently has two years to run on his contract, but Sunderland are standing firm with the likes of Southampton, West Ham and Lazio all interested in the player, they're standing firm on the £25m+ figure.

"I think this is largely to do with the sell-on fee that they would have to pay out, but he's a credit to football. You've seen players who've refused to play because they want to push through a move, Clarke has said he's happy at Sunderland.

"You can see that by the way he's playing, he's already had a fantastic start to the season, and he's just letting his football do the talking. His value is only going to go up, he was outstanding in the win over Sheffield Wednesday.

"He says he's happy at Sunderland, and I think if the club is doing well and pushing at the top end of the table and Jack gets the chance to play in the Premier League at Sunderland, then it's happy days for everybody.

"But certainly Sunderland won't want to see Jack go into the last year of his contract, so at some point between now and the January transfer window, it will be one of those decisions that the hierarchy have to make. "Either we keep Clarke and there's a chance that he may run his contract down and go on a free, or sell him in the January transfer window. So, Sunderland supporters will be hoping that the hierarchy can keep Jack. "He's reported to be on about £17,000 per week, and with Premier League clubs sniffing around him, he's going to be looking at a salary of about £70k-per-week, so you can't see Sunderland paying that amount of money.

"So we're just going to have to watch this space. But, Sunderland and their supporters will be hoping that Jack Clarke signs a new deal. The chances are that if Sunderland are in the mix come Christmas time, then there's some big decisions to be made by the bosses at the football club."

Sunderland's early form should make the decision a lot easier

Winning their opening two Championship fixtures by an aggregate score of 6-0, the Regis Le Bris era at the Stadium of Light has gotten off to the perfect start.

Sunderland are looking like a side who can be one of the division's surprise packages this season. But, if you look at their squad of players and put last season into the context of them essentially playing the campaign without a centre-forward, then it probably shouldn't be a surprise at all to see them looking so strong in the early stages of this season.

In Anthony Patterson they have one of the Championship's best goalkeepers, whilst the defensive line in front of him consists of proven commodities and bright young stars such as Trai Hume and Dennis Cirkin.

With one of the Championship's best midfield trios in Jobe Bellingham, Dan Neil and Chris Rigg flanked by Clarke and Patrick Roberts, the heart of Le Bris' side is flooded with class and top-class potential.

Whilst 19-year-old striker Eliezer Mayenda showed that despite it perhaps being too early to rely solely on him to lead the line for Sunderland this season, his two goals against the Owls evidenced the raw ability that he possesses too.

Therefore, with perhaps one or two further additions before the window closes, the early signs are that Sunderland might just have as big of a claim to promotion as anyone else in the Championship this season.

If the Premier League is where Clarke wants to be, then the Black Cats appear to have a very good chance at making that a reality for him in 2025, so with two more years left to run on his deal, there's no harm in sticking it out for one more season and seeing what it brings.

Should Sunderland fail in their top-flight pursuit this season, then nobody on Wearside would hold it against him if he left the club next summer, and should he put in another similar season this year to his last two, then Sunderland would still be in line to net a substantial fee.