Lazio table new bid to sign West Ham United-linked Jack Clarke as £15m transfer update emerges
Lazio have made a new bid to sign Sunderland attacker and West Ham United target Jack Clarke, according to TEAMtalk.
The online news outlet shared (29 January) the Italians have come back with an improved offer over £15m as they look to persuade Sunderland to cash-in on the 23-year-old.
Lazio saw a £14m offer rejected by Sunderland with the Mackems reluctant to see their star player leave this month, although there is a chance he could depart at the end of the season.
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.
Go for him
No matter how Clarke may be viewed by Premier League fans, the Hammers should be moving to bring him in as he could well have the same effect as Jarrod Bowen.
It’s unlikely Sunderland will accept Lazio’s bid given the size of the offer and the timing well into their Championship playoff bid but it’s fair to point out that Clarke has unfinished business in the Premier League and he may see the London Stadium as the perfect step up in his development.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an excellent campaign with the North East club, scoring 13 Championship goals and registering two assists leading to much interest from Premier League clubs but David Moyes’ men must be at the front of the queue.
West Ham United are desperately short of attackers right now, with the likes of Said Benrahma, Maxwel Cornet and Pablo Fornals all linked with January exits and Clarke, given his age profile, potential, homegrown status and quality would be an ideal bet for David Moyes to pursue.
Clarke certainly seems like an ideal summer addition given his price tag and his need to develop further in the Championship before making the considerable jump to the Premier League.
It will be hard to see a club like Lazio sign him when there’s a chance of greater success for both the player and West Ham should they join hands in the summer.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers can table a new bid to seal the last-ditch signing of one Premier League striker after a fresh transfer twist.
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