By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

9th Oct, 2023 | 1:30pm

Sources: Brentford and Burnley set sights on signing Sunderland star Clarke

Sunderland star Jack Clarke is attracting interest from Premier League duo Brentford and Burnley ahead of the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.

The Black Cats kept hold of the 22-year-old in the summer window amid strong interest from Burnley.

Vincent Kompany’s side saw a bid of just over £10million rejected for Clarke before moving on to alternative targets.

But the Lancashire side are still keeping tabs on the winger, and have been impressed by his early-season form.

As such, Sunderland are now bracing for interest in Clarke’s services ahead of the January window.

They want to keep hold of the York-born ace as he is seen as integral to Tony Mowbray’s plans.

Clarke has scored seven goals in 12 appearances across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign with Sunderland making a strong start to the new season.

He originally joined the Wearside club on loan from Tottenham in January 2022.

The former Leeds youngster notched one goal and four assists in 20 games, helping Sunderland to promotion from League One via the play-offs.

Clarke earned a permanent move to the Stadium of Light after that temporary spell and notched 11 goals and 14 assists as Mowbray’s side reached the second-tier play-offs last season.

The 22-year-old has continued that form in the new season to establish himself as one of the Championship’s best players – and attract interest from Brentford and Burnley.

Clarke’s last spell in the top flight came with Tottenham – but he made just four appearances for the London club after signing from Leeds for a reported fee of around £10million in 2019.

In other news, Brentford plan to block star man joining rivals in January.