Sunderland: Departure of Leeds target Jack Clarke could open door for promising winger - View | OneFootball

With Jack Clarke's departure heating up with a possible move to Leeds, this could provide opportunity for Sunderland winger Romaine Mundle

Reports are suggesting that Sunderland winger Jack Clarke would be open to returning to Leeds United this summer after the 23-year-old turned down a recent contract offer from the Mackems.

Clarke has been a fan favourite at the Stadium of Light since his arrival from Tottenham but Football Insider suggests that the attacker is keen on a return to Elland Road.

Leeds are well aware of Clarke's situation, as Mike McGrath suggests they are considering their options in the hope of finding the right candidate to replace Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.

The winger came through the Whites' academy but made the move to Tottenham for £8.5 million, and after finding life difficult in North London, he switched to the North East in 2022.

If Clarke was to depart and end his three-year stay at Sunderland, the Mackems would hope to see other options in the squad step up on the left flank.

Like Clarke, there is another ex-Tottenham winger in the squad – promising talent Romaine Mundle.

Mundle signed from Belgian outfit Standard Liege during the 2024 January transfer deadline day for a fee worth £2.5 million and has shown signs of his talent in the last campaign and during pre-season.

Mundle left Spurs like Clarke and made his move to Belgium, and despite making only six appearances for Liege, he caught the eye of the Mackems.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has a reputation for giving young players a chance following his previous roles at youth academies such as Rennes and Lorient and the 21-year-old is one of the players that will be looking to take advantage.

Speaking about the gifted winger and fellow teammate Abdoullah Ba to the Sunderland Echo, Le Bris challenged the pair when quizzed on what they needed to do to force themselves into the starting XI.

He said: "For them, the consistency and the ability to create danger.

“I think they have a specific talent to create unbalance, but they're still young in the game.”

Mundle has shown the Sunderland faithful glimpses of his quality in his minimal game time, having only made 11 appearances in the Championship last season and scored one goal, which came in a 4-2 defeat to Southampton.

After a strong pre-season and a promising 90 minutes in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat to Preston North End in the League Cup, many fans want to see the 21-year-old more often and the departure of Clarke could certainly heighten the chances of this happening.

The winger has also had brief cameos in Sunderland's opening two wins in the Championship, after thumping Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 on Sunday.

Mundle may get more opportunities this term if Clarke stays but the latter's departure may well accelerate his development at the Stadium of Light – throwing him into the side and challenging him to step up.

Mundle has the potential to fill Clarke's boots

Despite his minimal amount of game time, Mundle has shown strong signs of promise.

He may be a couple of years off Clarke's level, and patience will be needed, but Le Bris will have no shame in involving the youngster a lot more than he probably originally had planned.

The Sunderland winger has frightening pace that will cause problems for Championship defenders and if he can add the consistency to his game that Le Bris has called for, we should see him contributing both goals and assists.

Whether he can reach Clarke's level is unclear but the £2.5 million fee suggests there is belief in the young attacker and Sunderland has been a good place for rising stars to find their feet.