Wolves are reportedly now interested in a potential deal for Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, as Gary O’Neil seeks attacking reinforcements.
The Molineux boss is known to want a new striker this month.
But there have also been suggestions that O’Neil is keen to add another wide forward to his squad, with Hwang Hee-chan currently on Asia Cup duty with South Korea.
O’Neil only has Pablo Sarabia and Pedro Neto available to him at the moment, although Jean-Ricner Bellegarde can do a job out wide.
Jack Clarke is a natural winger though, and it looks as though Wolves are keen on the Englishman…
Wolves interested in signing Sunderland winger Jack Clarke this month
Wolves don’t have a great deal of money to spend this month, so there is a need to be savvy in the market.
Matt Hobbs said on Tuesday that Wolves will not make any risky plays, as they consider Profit and Sustainability rules.
Loan deals and bargains seem to be the plan, and according to the Northern Echo, Clarke is now a target for Wolves. But the club are facing competition from as many as five other top-flight clubs, including West Ham United, Crystal Palace, Burnley, Everton and Bournemouth, while there is also further interest from Championship rivals Leicester City and Southampton.
Clarke has been in great form so far this season, scoring 12 goals in 26 games in the Championship.
It is stated by the Northern Echo that interested clubs are thought to value Clarke up to £15 million.
Clarke signing surely not likely for Wolves
Given the level of interest in the in-form Clarke, and the apparent valuation of at least £15 million, it is very hard to see Wolves winning any race for the player this month.
All the indications have been that Wolves are going to make cheap or loan signings this month, and £15 million for one player might just be too big a stretch, even with sales.
Clarke is a talented player, but Wolves are not overly desperate for him and recruitment staff would surely be able to find someone much cheaper.
A few years ago Clarke did sign for Tottenham Hotspur, but he only a handful of appearances for the first-team and never played in the Premier League, which would make him a bit of a risk anyway.
He actually worked with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who of course had a brief spell as manager of the north London giants. But Clarke struggled to impress him, making just two of his matchday squads and one appearance, before leaving to join Sunderland on loan in January 2022.
Clarke has managed to find his feet now, and is said to be ‘blossoming’ under Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light.