Scott Wilson: Sunderland ‘hoping’ to push on with move for ‘quality’ 21 y/o gem ‘this week’

Sunderland are now ‘hoping’ to push on with a deal for Tottenham youngster Jack Clarke, according to Scott Wilson for The Northern Echo.

The 21-year-old joined the Black Cats in January on a loan deal which would keep him at the Stadium of Light until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The winger played a key part in Alex Neil’s side winning promotion to the Championship, with the youngster having made 20 league appearances for the Wearside club.

The former Stoke loanee has now entered the final 12 months of his contract with Spurs, raising suggestions of a move away from north London.

Wilson has now shared the latest news on Clarke’s future with the Lilywhites.

Taking to Twitter, the journalist claimed: “#SAFC hoping Spurs will make a decision over Jack Clarke’s future this week. Antonio Conte takes his squad to South Korea next weekend, and Sunderland are understandably hoping Clarke will not be part of the trip…”

In the accompanying article for The Northern Echo, Wilson reported that talks have taken place between the Black Cats and the Premier League club, with the Wearsiders keen on securing a permanent deal for the player. As a result, it is understood that Tottenham are actively considering selling Clarke this summer.

The Black Cats manager was full of praise for Clarke after the attacker produced the moment of magic which led to Patrick Roberts’ injury-time goal to send Sunderland through to the League One play-off final at Wembley at Sheffield Wednesday’s expense.

Following that decisive moment, Neil proclaimed: “Jack has got good quality. He can take the ball, he can dribble, he can go past people, and those kind of players are really useful to have in the team and he delivered the moment we needed and Pat