Sunderland star Jack Clarke may have just dropped a veiled hint on his future on Wearside.
Sunderland fans are expecting several players to move on this summer, in what could be a very financially fruitful summer for the Black Cats.
And nobody is expected to move on more than Clarke.
The 23-year-old was named Sunderland’s Player of the Season this week after scoring 15 goals and assisting four more in the Championship this time round.
He’s had several suitors in the Premier League and abroad this year.
Who is interested in Jack Clarke at Sunderland
Last summer it was Burnley who tried and failed to sign the former Leeds United and Spurs man.
Then in January, Lazio were being heavily linked with a move for Clarke, though obviously nothing came of it.
The likes of Crystal Palace and West Ham have also been closely linked with a move for Clarke ahead of the summer.
Jack Clarke drops fresh hint on Sunderland future
After receiving his Player of the Season award this week, Clarke spoke to BBC Total Sport.
He was asked whether he feels at home at Sunderland, having moved back up from London way with Tottenham, closer to his hometown of York.
Clarke said:
“I’d like to think I’ve grown a lot during my time here, and it’s due to the fans, due to the club, and due to the players I’ve had around me. We’ve had a really good group, and I’ve had really good people to learn from in the last couple of years. So credit to the club.
“Like you said, it could be due to the fact that I’m home or just, obviously I’m playing football more and whenever you’re playing you obviously feel better, and you only really play your best stuff, I think, when you get a run-in somewhere and you’re happy playing, and I’ve been happy ever since I walked through the doors.”
Is there a chance that Jack Clarke stays this summer
Clarke’s above comments, although not directly discussing whether he’ll stay or not this summer, seem to suggest that he’s very happy at Sunderland.
He’s tried the big Premier League move and it didn’t work out, and now it seems like Clarke simply wants to be happy wherever he plays his football.
After missing out on a Premier League move last summer, it doesn’t seem like Clarke has in any way tried to force a move away from the Stadium of Light.
And the above comments aren’t the first indication we’ve had that Clarke wouldn’t mind staying at Sunderland this summer.
Earlier this year, Clarke’s agent Ian Harte suggested that Clarke would be open to signing a new Sunderland deal.
But it’s down to the Sunderland owners.
They will surely take the first suitable offer that comes in for Clarke as it would make total financial sense to sell; he’s in the peak form of his career and if he stays and doesn’t perform so well, his value could drop back down.
It’s certainly going to be an interesting summer for Sunderland and Clarke.