West Ham United: Pundit stunned as £20m Jack Clarke transfer update emerges at London Stadium
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie believes Sunderland star Jack Clarke could be a great addition at West Ham but spending £20m could be a real “gamble” at the London Stadium.
UK newspaper outlet The Mirror (13 January) shared that the Hammers are ready to step on the accelerator to seal Clarke’s signature at the London Stadium with the Black Cats rating him at £20m at the Stadium of Light.
It is believed that the East Londoners are under pressure to sign a homegrown asset this month having announced the departure of academy graduate Conor Coventry to Charlton Athletic on Friday (12 January).
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Yeah I’ve heard Sunderland want £20m, woah. That is a lot of money, especially in a January transfer window.
“I mean, listen, if he comes in and has the sort of impact that Jarrod Bowen has had at the London Stadium, then nobody will say a word.
“Don’t get me wrong, he’s a quality player and will be a great addition to the team but it’s a gamble, £20m is a gamble.
“If he comes in, I wish him all the very best. I mean, he’s been around for some time and has done well at Sunderland so rumours of a move to a Premier League team were always going to come sooner rather than later.
“However, as I’ve said, it is a big gamble and I’ve always thought David Moyes never took gambles like that so unless he’s very sure of this boy, which he was of Bowen, then I can’t see it.
“I never saw this coming so in that respect, you’ve got to say fair play but £20m which West Ham have got to pay, you simply don’t know if it’s going to work, especially considering that kind of money.
“When you go to West Ham, it really is a huge club and the pressure is a lot so if he comes and Moyes thinks he’s the answer then fair play.”
In other West Ham news, the stance of another Premier League player who has been linked with the club has been revealed.
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