Beale discovers Sunderland transfer stance as big names queue up for star winger

23 December 2023 , 04:30

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Michael Beale has become the new head coach of Sunderland (Image: Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

Michael Beale has been told he has not joined a selling club with star winger Jack Clarke a wanted man in January.

The new Sunderland head coach takes charge of his first game at home to Coventry on Saturday with Clarke attracting interest from Premier League clubs. Beale has been assured he’ll be given ammo for a promotion push, and director Kristjaan Speakman says big names won’t be sold if that would jeopardise success.

Beale has vowed to earn credit with Sunderland fans and make the decent side he inherited from Tony Mowbray better in both boxes. He wants their dominant possession play to be rewarded with more goals, and a stronger edge to his side defensively. “We wait to win in both boxes”, he said.

Sunderland’s aim is to build the squad’s value by developing young players and also challenge for promotion every year. They sold Ross Stewart in September for £8m rising to £12m.

Speakman said: “When players do really really well and attract the attention of Premier League outfits that is going to be a difficult moment. Our ownership has been rock solid on that and I don’t think we will be looking to trade players when we have an opportunity.

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Jack Clarke is admired by many Premier League clubs (MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

“I don’t think it is a difficult conundrum for the club. It is about having a well organised club. The selling players issue is a by-product of doing well. That should be the choice of the club in collaboration with the players. The club has turned down numerous bids for numerous players over the last couple of years. And we have only sold one player.

“So there is a slight misrepresentation around the direction of travel and the objective of the club. If we were a selling club we would have made loads of sales and we haven’t.

Asked if cash would be reinvested, Speakman said: “One of the most efficient ways to get spending power to invest in what you want to invest in, ie players, is to trade. But that won’t be against our No1 objective and that is getting promoted and growing the club.”

Simon Bird