Sunderland transfer update shared by Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth as West Ham United chase Jack Clarke January deal
Sunderland are under “no pressure” to let Jack Clarke go in the face of interest from West Ham this month, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist shared an update via Twitter on 9 January to indicate that it may be a tough pursuit for the Hammers since the 23-year-old forward has two and a half years left on his contract at the Stadium of Light.
West Ham need a goalscorer in light of Michail Antonio’s latest injury set back [Daily Mail, 8 January], with the club already short up front after being unable to replace Gianluca Scamacca in the summer.
Sheth wrote: “West Ham United interested in Sunderland’s Jack Clarke. Sunderland under no pressure to let him go – he’s under contract until 2026.
“Clarke is Sunderland’s top scorer this season with 12 goals from 26 Championship games.”
Uphill battle
Help in the goalscoring department is an obvious priority since David Moyes is facing the prospect of having to keep hold of the unwanted Danny Ings this month thanks to a lack of alternative options.
Even stand-in striker Jarrod Bowen, already pushed out of position on the wing to cover for Antonio, picked up an injury in the FA Cup draw with Bristol City at the weekend.
On top of that 19-year-old Divin Mubama has entered the final few months of his contract and his future is uncertain after rejecting an extension offer already [The Athletic, 8 January].
Clarke’s 12 goals in 26 games in the Championship, after nine goals and 12 assists in the second tier last term, suggest he is on an upward trajectory.
But even he might be seen as less then a guaranteed success if West Ham were able to tempt Sunderland into letting him go.
Between a need to move players on before bringing January signings in and injuries piling up at the London Stadium David Moyes looks to be caught in a catch-22.
Ings’ three goals in 40 appearances for the club make him a prime candidate to move on if the interest is there, but with so little available to the manager he might be forced to keep the ex-Aston Villa man thanks to the timing of multiple factors this month.
In other West Ham news, a “leading” target for the club this month is keen to move to the Premier League after talks were held over a move.