SUNDERLAND face the prospect of having a big decision to make on Jack Clarke this summer, as Premier League interest in the wideman ramps up.
Clarke enjoyed a superb season for Sunderland last term, topping the Championship assists chart with 12 and scoring nine league goals.
His fine form turned heads of top flight clubs, with Crystal Palace, Brentford and newly promoted Burnley among those keen.
Clarke has reignited his career at Sunderland having joined the club from Tottenham, where he had a tough spell having joined for £8.5m from Leeds when he was just 18.
He initially joined Sunderland on loan in January 2022 and having helped the Black Cats win promotion to the Championship, he signed a permanent deal and four-year contract last summer.
But Clarke has since shown himself to be one of the best attacking players in the division, establishing himself as pivotal in Tony Mowbray's side and playing a key role as the Black Cats secured an unlikely top six spot.
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Having lost Amad Diallo, who returned to Manchester United after his loan spell on Wearside, Mowbray will be desperate to keep hold of Clarke - but a decision on the winger's future lies with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman and the club's owners.
Clarke understandably enjoys playing for Mowbray having flourished under the head coach after his August appointment.
Earlier this month, he said: "I’m just thankful to the manager for picking me and having faith in me, and for the club for bringing me here and giving me an opportunity to play and show what I can do.
“I’m very grateful to the manager and the club for putting so much faith in me."
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