Sunderland contract updates revealed on Dan Neil and Southampton target Jack Clarke | OneFootball

Sunderland are in discussions with two key players over a new deal amid transfer speculation

Sunderland are in talks with Dan Neil over a new contract but discussions with Southampton transfer target Jack Clarke over an extension have hit an impasse.

According to The Northern Echo, the Black Cats are keen to tie down the two key players beyond their current deals.

Neil still has two years remaining on his contract, keeping him at the Stadium of Light until 2026, but Sunderland want to extend that even further.

However, an impasse has been reached in talks with Clarke, who also has two years remaining on his time at the club.

Clarke has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in the past, and is reportedly a target for Southampton in the current summer window.

Sunderland’s contract talks

Kristjaan Speakman has discussed the situation surrounding the futures of top Sunderland stars, claiming the club will continue to do what it can to retain players.

The Black Cats’ sporting director believes that the Wearside outfit have been quite proactive in ensuring players are looked after, especially as they come closer to the end of their contracts.

“We've always tried to retain the top talent,” said Speakman, via The Northern Echo.

“Those conversations are ongoing for numbers of players.

“I think we try to keep a really, really close contact with the agents of all the players to know how they're feeling, where they feel they are at the minute, what they think is the next step for them, how comfortable are they with the environment, what can we do to chop and change things here to make sure they're really, really comfortable.

“And naturally, if anyone's got a contract they're starting to get towards the conclusion of, then we're always really active on that front.”

It has previously been reported that Sunderland have set a £30 million asking price for Clarke this summer, with Wolves also said to be circling around his future.

Sunderland’s summer transfer window so far

Sunderland have appointed Régis Le Bris as their latest head coach after a protracted search for Michael Beale’s permanent successor.

But the Frenchman could have his work cut out for him in trying to keep the team’s most important players, as it is now just Clarke receiving transfer interest.

It has been claimed that Sunderland have turned down a bid for Jobe Bellingham already this summer.

The likes of Trai Hume and Anthony Patterson have also been the subject of speculation, with Pierre Ekwah also reportedly a target for newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town.

Sunderland contract talks will dictate summer plans

If Neil or Clarke don’t agree to new deals, then that could have a major impact on the club’s transfer plans this summer.

Both are valuable members of the squad, but the Black Cats will not want to risk missing out on receiving a big fee for them if they are intent on leaving.

That means cashing in on at least one this year could make sense, as it will avoid them running into the last 12 months of their contract in 2025.

But the two year window remaining on their deals does give them some breathing room, and means there is no immediate need to sell, so they still hold a lot of leverage in any potential transfer talks.