Burnley: Clarets still keen on Jack Clarke
Despite having bids rejected, the newly-promoted side still want to add the winger this summer.
Burnley have not given up hope of landing Sunderland winger Jack Clarke this summer, with reliable journalist Alan
Nixon stating that it “isn’t over yet” for the Clarets in their pursuit of the youngster.
How many goals has Jack Clarke scored for Sunderland?
The 22-year-old was on fire last season in the Championship for Sunderland and had, statistically, the best campaign of his
career to date. He ran rampant with the Black Cats in the second tier, bagging himself nine goals in 45 games and, even
more impressively, notching 11 assists along the way.
It meant that his goal contribution rate stood at 20 in total and gave him an average of 0.48 goals or assists per 90 – almost
one or the other every second game he played, as per FBref. Considering he also featured in nearly every single second-tier
game throughout the previous campaign, it shows how vital he was to the club’s cause.
Prior to this breakout year with Sunderland, Clarke had struggled to hit the back of the net too frequently. In League One, he
had managed only one strike with the Black Cats and his two stints with Stoke and QPR had led to no goals whatsoever. The
early promise he had shown with Leeds, when he had struck two goals in four league starts, had seemed to dwindle and go
off course due to a lack of action. Now a regular again, he is finding his feet once more and topped the Championship
leaderboard for assists in 2022/23.
Are Burnley signing Jack Clarke?
These showings have now led to a potential Premier League return this summer. Burnley have been keen to seal a deal for
the winger but, with the 22-year-old proving to be so vital to his current club, they have turned down all bids from the
Clarets so far.
However, that has seemingly not deterred the top-flight side in their efforts to bring him to Turf Moor. According to reliable
journalist Nixon, Burnley remain keen to try and snap up Clarke and Vincent Kompany remains a big fan of the player – so
they are not out of the running for his signature yet and there is nothing to say they won’t launch yet another offer for his
services.
“Burnley have a few targets that they are still haggling over… the fact they are still in suggests that one isn’t over yet…
and the manager still wants him.”
Having worked with Tony Mowbray last season during Sunderland’s run to the play-offs, not many know Clarke like the
manager does. Watching the winger in action and working with the youngster has clearly left the former Blackburn boss in
awe, as he stated that the forward was a “wonderful” player and added that “nobody can deny” the talent that he possesses.
He’s clearly seen in high regard at the Stadium of Light then, and it is no wonder that they don’t want to let him leave this
summer if they can help it. Burnley, though, look as if they will continue to try and tempt him away from the EFL side – and
if they did manage to add him to their own ranks, it would be another shrewd signing for the Clarets.
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Nathan Tella: Southampton react to Burnley transfer bid, Jason Wilcox warning
All the latest headlines surrounding Nathan Tella’s future at Southampton
Southampton have had a busy summer of transfer activity so far this window.
However, a number of big deals could yet still happen as the Saints hold out for big fees for several of their first team players
Russell Martin’s squad could still look quite different between now and the 1 September deadline, with speculation
surrounding numerous Saints players.
One such figure that has attracted interest this summer is Nathan Tella.
The winger spent last season out on loan with Burnley, where he earned an impressive reputation with his performances for
the Clarets.
Does Nathan Tella have a future with Southampton?
Tella ended the campaign as the top scorer for Vincent Kompany’s side as they dominated their way to the Championship
title.
This has led to suggestions that he could depart St. Mary’s on a permanent basis.
Here we look at the latest headlines surrounding the future of the 24-year-old ahead of the Championship campaign getting
underway next week…
Burnley bid
Burnley are seeking a move to make their deal for Tella permanent ahead of their Premier League return.
Kompany’s side earned promotion with Tella being a key part of the side on the right flank.
However, his return to Southampton at the end of last season has led to a hole being left in the team’s attack, which Burnley
want to fill by making a permanent offer to sign the Saints winger.
According to Alan Nixon, the Lancashire club have made an offer worth £9 million for the attacker.
However, that bid has been rejected by the Championship side.
Jason Wilcox warning
Southampton have been the subject of intense speculation when it comes to several first team squad members this summer.
This has brought director of football Jason Wilcox to the fore, with the former Man City academy director leading the
negotiations for the club in the market.
He has warned that the club will not be letting players go on the cheap just because they have the opportunity to move up to
the Premier League.
“If a club wants to take our players on the cheap and we feel as though we’re losing then that’s not a win-win agreement –
there has to be a compromise,” said Wilcox, via the Daily Echo.
“There will be situations where we say to players ‘I’m really sorry but the value is not there, you’re going to be with us in the
Championship and have to generate your Premier League value’.
“These conversations are something that myself and Russell are having, Russell is having with the players and I’m having
with the agents.”
Burnley stance
Burnley’s pursuit of Tella appears to be over after the Clarets agreed to the signing of Jacob Bruun Larsen from Hoffenheim.
The 24-year-old has joined on loan from the Bundesliga side after the club’s attempts to sign Tella were rejected by
Southampton.
According to the Daily Mail, this move signals the end of their chase to re-sign the Saints attacker.
This leaves Tella’s future up in the air, with a departure from St. Mary’s looking less likely than it did earlier in the summer.
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