West Ham to step on accelerator to seal £20m attacker transfer – report
West Ham United transfer news as £20m push for Jack Clarke now on cards
West Ham United are ready to step up their interest in signing Sunderland attacker Jack Clarke this month, according to The Mirror.
The newspaper outlet (13 January) shared that the Hammers are ready to step on the accelerator to seal Clarke’s signature at the London Stadium who is rated 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).
Tottenham are reported to have a 25 per cent sell-on clause for Clarke meaning Sunderland are likely to drive a hard bargain for Clarke who remains key to their faint promotion hopes.
Worth a try
Clarke certainly isn’t one of those talents bursting on the scene for the first time as clubs and fans were already accustomed to his tremendous gifts before his failed move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Since he joined Sunderland though, he’s taken his game to whole new levels already scoring 13 goals this season after registering a whopping nine goals and 12 assists during the 2022/23 campaign.
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.
Also, it cannot be ruled out that the former Tottenham forward will be tempted by the move as he will have the chance to play European football and in the Premier League where he will feel he has unfinished business.
Sunderland’s chances of sealing a playoff place are fading by the week given their stuttering form under new manager Michael Beale and that may sway Clarke’s decision but the Black Cats will likely demand more than the £20m quoted.
Signing homegrown Championship talents has always been the way to go at the London Stadium, just look at Jarrod Bowen since his move from Hull City back then but whether the Irons are willing to pay big money right now is unlikely.
