SUNDERLAND have made it clear Jack Clarke is not for sale in the January transfer window after turning down a bid from Serie A giants Lazio.

The Black Cats winger, who dazzled in the 3-1 win over Stoke City, was subject of a bid from the Italian outfit last night.

The Northern Echo understands the Wearsiders have rejected the approach, and remain determined to keep Clarke at the club beyond the January transfer window.

Lazio, who are set to take on Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League next month, are not alone in their interest of the Sunderland winger.

The Black Cats turned down a bid in the region of £15m from West Ham United earlier this month, with the Hammers now looking elsewhere.

Wolves, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Burnley have all been credited with an interest in the 23-year-old since the summer transfer window. Clarke has been Sunderland's talisman this season, having scored 13 goals and notched three assists in 29 Championship appearances.

Sunderland remain in talks to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light, but as of yet, have failed to agree improved terms. The winger's contract expires in the summer of 2026, with former club Tottenham Hotspur holding a reported 25 per cent sell on clause in any future deal.

Last week, Black Cats' sporting director Kristjaan Speakman played down any talk of a departure for Clarke, with the club determined to keep their best players at the Stadium of Light.

Speakman said: "I get the news about selling players but our ambition is to retain our best players, develop them, go higher in the league.

"I get the nervousness around selling players but there are players we all love and our ambition is to retain them and keep developing."

Sunderland were in talks to bring in four players prior to the win over Stoke City at the weekend, two permanent deals and two loans, as well as offering a contract extension to Alex Pritchard.

However, the Black Cats playmaker has rejected those terms and has since expressed a desire to leave the club.

A club statement read: "On Friday morning, Alex Pritchard informed the club that he was no longer available for selection and he subsequently withdrew from today’s match day squad.

"The midfielder also expressed his desire to leave SAFC with immediate effect. The club will be making no further comment at this moment in time."