Sunderland are reportedly prepared to hand winger Jack Clarke a new deal at the club amid interest from Burnley and other Premier League outfits.
The former England youth international enjoyed a stellar campaign at the Stadium of Light last season, scoring nine goals and 11 assists, helping the Black Cats reach the playoffs on their return to the Championship.
Clarke has continued his good form during the new term, with the 22-year-old making the net ripple on eight occasions in 13 Championship matches as Sunderland look to gain promotion to the Premier League.
The attacker's performances saw him pick up the second tier's Player of the Month award for September - a period in which he scored six goals, including braces against Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday.
According to the Sunderland Echo, Sunderland are very keen on keeping Clarke past the upcoming January and summer windows, with the Black Cats set to step up their efforts to retain the player.
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The report claims that Tony Mowbray's men are looking to offer the winger fresh terms at the Stadium of Light, amid interest for the Englishman's services from a number of top-flight clubs.
Clarke's current deal in the North-East expires during the summer of 2026, meaning that Sunderland are under no pressure to sell him soon, however it is understood that the Black Cats want the player to commit his long-term future to the team.
After moving on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the second half of Sunderland's 2021-22 promotion-winning season, the winger made the permanent switch from North London for £1m in July 2022.
Following such a productive season for Mowbray's side, it is believed that Burnley submitted multiple bids for Clarke - with one totalling £10m - however all advances from the Clarets were snubbed.
It was recently reported that Brentford, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers are all admirers of Clarke, meaning that Vincent Kompany's men have serious competition in their quest to secure the attacker.
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It is understood that Sunderland are hoping to earn at least £20m from the sale of Clarke should he depart, however the latest revelation suggests that the Black Cats will try to keep him at the club with a fresh deal.
After missing out on the signing of the 22-year-old in the summer, Burnley moved onto other targets who could bolster their survival chances in the Premier League, including Mike Tresor and Luca Koleosho.
Despite an influx of young attackers, it has been one of last season's crop who has been finding the net for the Clarets so far, with South African Lyle Foster netting three of his side's seven top-flight goals in the opening nine matches.
Clarke and his Sunderland teammates will be aiming to avoid four successive defeats in the Championship when they host Norwich City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Carter White
