Sunderland now identify 24-year-old Jack Clarke replacement ahead of summer

Jack Clarke may be replaced with a Championship loanee at Sunderland.

 

Since the summer, Jack Clarke has drawn a lot of interest. Burnley made several attempts to acquire him, but their bids were turned down when they were promoted to the premier league.

Due to the winger’s outstanding 13-goal start to the season, more teams are vying for his signature, including Brighton, Brentford, and West Ham.

 

Though no approaches have been made for Clarke this month, Sunderland may

lose him in the summer if they are unable to qualify for the Premier League on their own.

 

The Black Cats are already starting to look at recruiting Clarke’s replacement,

although he has not yet agreed to a new contract on Wearside.

Journalist Alan Nixon claims that Liam Millar of Preston North End is being considered by Michael Beale’s team as a possible Clarke successor.

 

Nixon stated on his Patreon that Sunderland is interested in signing

Canadian winger Liam Millar as a long-term replacement for Jack Clarke.

 

Millar has made an impression on the Black Cats while on loan from Swiss club Basel at Preston.

“Millar is growing up at North End and fulfilling the hype that surrounded him when he was a young player at Liverpool.”

 

“Unless a significant offer is made for Clarke, Sunderland is more likely to wait until the conclusion of the season to make a bid for Millar.

 

Although Sunderland is unlikely to give up on Clarke as they pursue promotion,

Brentford is interested in him, but they cannot afford the exorbitant price attached to his head.

 

Clarke is being given a new contract to stay, but settling on a set fee will be

difficult. The club is looking to pay him almost £18 million.

Who is Liam Millar?

Born in Toronto, Liam Millar spent time in the academies of Fulham and

Liverpool before making his senior debut for the Reds in the FA Cup four years ago.

The winger was loaned to Kilmarnock and Charlton Athletic after failing to earn another appearance for the first squad despite scoring 31 goals and dishing out 18 assists while playing for Liverpool’s youth divisions.

 

After that, Millar was traded for £1.3 million to the Swiss team Basel in 2021. In his first season there, Millar scored seven goals, but he hasn’t found the back of the net since.

After that, in September, the 24-year-old was transferred on loan to Preston North End. In 22 games, he has contributed eight goals, six of which have come in his past eight Championship contests.

 

In the Lilywhites’ lineup, Millar has the most shots (35), the most successful dribbles (47), and the second-most crucial passes (19). The attacker’s skill level has been likened to that of former Preston and Sunderland player Aiden McGeady.

 

By contrast, Jack Clarke has made 66 crucial passes, 102 successful dribbles, and 80 shoots.