Burnley make third offer of £9m for Sunderland’s Jack Clarke

Burnley have made a third bid for Sunderland winger Jack Clarke of around £9million. 

The 22-year-old also has interest from Brentford and Crystal Palace, who have asked about Everton’s Demarai Gray and Villarreal’s Arnaut Danjuma as they prepare for Wilfried Zaha’s departure. 

Clarke, 22, scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists last season as Sunderland reached the Championship play-offs, where they lost to Luton in the semi-finals.

But the former Leeds and Tottenham player could end up in the Premier League anyway with Vincent Kompany serious about adding him to the Clarets’ squad.

Clarke initially joined Sunderland on loan from Spurs in January 2022 and played a role in helping the Black Cats win promotion from League One via the play-offs.

Former Leeds and Tottenham player Clarke impressed for the Black Cats last season

That move was made permanent on a four-year contract last summer and Clarke has continued to flourish under Tony Mowbray.

He is capable of playing on either wing and also as a centre forward if required.

Palace’s interest comes as Zaha’s contract expired. He could still re-sign for the Selhurst Park club, who tabled a £200,000-a-week contract offer.

Palace are desperate for Zaha, who gets married later this summer, to stay and may give him every opportunity to commit his future to the club beyond the deadline.

The contract offer to Zaha is the most lucrative deal they have ever offered a player.

Zaha is keen to join a club that can immediately offer him an opportunity to play in the competition or one that can realistically challenge to qualify.

To that end, Lazio – who will play in next season’s Champions League – have a concrete interest in Zaha.

However, it is understood that the Italian side would not match the money on offer at Crystal Palace.

Palace have offered Zaha a new long-term deal, understood to be worth £200,000-per-week

Palace are desperate for Zaha, who gets married later this summer, to stay and may give him every opportunity to commit his future to the club beyond the deadline

Fenerbahce have also registered their interest in the 30-year-old and have qualified for the Europa Conference League next season.

The idea of living and playing in Istanbul, well-known as a hotbed of football, is likely to appeal to Zaha – but the lack of Champions League involvement could be a factor.

But Fenerbahce’s standing in Turkish football will provide Zaha with the possibility of playing Champions League football in the future.

Zaha has also attracted major interest from Saudi Arabia, where he knows he can earn significantly more than the £200,000-per-week on offer at Selhurst Park.