Jack Clarke has responded to his missed opportunity to move from Sunderland to West Ham United in January.
West Ham were extensively connected with a January transfer window attempt to recruit Jack Clarke from Sunderland, but the Black Cats’ £20 million asking price proved too much for us in the end.
Hammers manager David Moyes let Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma depart the London Stadium and failed to sign a forward before last week’s deadline.
If the Scot had brought Clarke, 23, to the club, I would have been delighted to see the Spaniard and Algerian leave.
However, that did not happen, and West Ham are now perilously low on attacking options, to the point where we may lose our chance of finishing in the top six.
Missing out on Clarke was a huge disappointment for me, but how does the former Leeds and Tottenham great feel about his failed move from Wearside to East London?
Jack Clarke on failed move from Sunderland to West Ham
The Black Cats winger spoke with Sky Sports cameras following his team’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Sunday.
When asked about strong links with a move to the Hammers during the January transfer window, Clarke responded:
“To be honest, I’m glad to be here, and I’m still loving every minute of wearing a Sunderland shirt, and the things that are said on the outside don’t worry me. “I’m happy as long as I come in every day wearing a Sunderland shirt.”
In my opinion, West Ham should have pushed harder for the 23-year-old.
Clarke has been in excellent form for Sunderland this season, scoring 13 goals and providing four assists in 32 Championship games (Transfermarkt).
He would have been an extremely valuable alternative for us for the rest of the season and beyond. It will be intriguing to see how he plays for the Black Cats between now and the end of the season, as well as whether West Ham make another effort to sign him in the summer.
For the time being, it appears like Jack Clarke is content with his situation in Sunderland.
