Rabiu AminuSunderland Stunned: Le Bris Confirms Jack Clarke’s January Transfer Request
By Connor Walsh, North East Football Correspondent
November 19, 2025 – Stadium of Light
Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has dropped a bombshell just hours before kick-off against Coventry City, revealing that talisman Jack Clarke has formally asked to leave the club when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 24-year-old winger, who has 11 goals and six assists in 18 Championship appearances this season, is understood to have grown frustrated by repeated broken promises over an improved contract and a perceived lack of ambition from the hierarchy following last season’s play-off final defeat.
Speaking to Sky Sports in a pre-match interview, the normally reserved Frenchman was uncharacteristically direct. “Jack has been honest with me and the club,” Le Bris said. “He informed us last week that he wishes to move in January to play at the highest level possible. We respect his position. He is a top professional and will continue to give everything for Sunderland until a solution is found. The situation is clear now; we must prepare for life after Jack.”
Clarke’s explosive form has attracted concrete interest from Premier League trio Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Brentford, with sources indicating a fee in the region of £28–30 million would be required to prise him away mid-season. Ipswich Town, backed by fresh investment, are also monitoring developments.
The timing could hardly be worse for the Championship leaders. Sunderland sit three points clear at the summit and were dreaming of automatic promotion, but losing their star man in January risks derailing a campaign built heavily around his flair and goals.
Le Bris, however, refused to be drawn into sentiment. “Football moves quickly. We knew this moment could come. Now we focus on solutions—strengthening the squad and trusting the process we started.”Supporters reacted with a mixture of heartbreak and resignation on social media, with #ThankYou
Jack trending within minutes. One wrote: “Gutted but not surprised. Sell him, bank the money, and finally back Régis properly.”As the January countdown begins, Sunderland face the stark reality that their brightest light may soon depart the Stadium of Light for good.
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