Ipswich Town have officially announced the signing of Jack Clarke from Sunderland for a fee of around €18 million. The 23-year-old has signed a contract until the Summer of 2029 with the Tractor Boys.

Jack ♥️

Read all about our 10th signing of the summer transfer window. 🗞️⤵️

— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) August 24, 2024

He signed for Sunderland permanently the next summer, and went on to make 114 appearances for the Black Cats, scoring 28 goals.

Now that Ipswich Town have brought Clarke back to the Premier League, we have scouted five potential replacements for Sunderland’s former talisman.

Louie Barry - Aston Villa

Louie Barry began his career at West Bromwich Albion, before moving to Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy in the summer of 2019 for nearly €300k. There was a lot of hype around the Englishman, and fans were excited when Aston Villa brought him back to his home nation the following summer.

16-year-old Louie Barry has signed for FC Barcelona from West Brom after rejecting an offer from PSG! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ICKNHird3O

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) July 11, 2019

Similarly to Clarke, Barry endured a number of decent if not underwhelming loan spells, before he kicked on at Stockport County. Following their promotion to League One, Barry has taken to life in England’s third tier like he’s playing youth football again.

He’s scored three goals in as many games in the third tier, and frankly looks a level above the division already. Comfortable across the front three, Barry would be a very useful option for any Championship side.

Should Sunderland fail to gain promotion this season, Barry is definitely someone they’ll be looking at next summer to replace Clarke.

Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan - Reading

Reading fans have had a pretty disappointing last few years, to say the least. From Liam Moore’s missed penalty in the 2016/17 Championship play-off final, to a transfer embargo and relegation to League One, Dai Yongge’s ownership has seen a sad decline for the Royals.

One silver lining from the stormy cloud positioned in Berkshire, is the successful blooding of impressive young players keeping the club afloat. Reading have always had a great youth academy, with players like Michael Olise and Omar Richards earning themselves moves to Bayern Munich during their careers.

It’s happened once again with Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. The Nigerian born 21-year-old has firmly cemented his place in Reading’s starting eleven. Comfortable as a striker or on the left wing, Ehibhatiomhan has really shown his ability this season and bagged two goals in three games, as well as providing an assist.

While I think Ehibhatiomhan would benefit from having one more League One season under his belt, it’s not out of the realms of possibility that a club from the Championship might take a risk on him. Given his keen eye for a wide range of goals, and impressive dribbling, he could really kick on in future.

Goal of the season 2023/24 🏆

Incredible strike from @Kelvinehi10 vs. Cambridge 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5mUTJEnPqO

— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) April 27, 2024

Dominic Ballard - Southampton

Dom Ballard has plenty of similarities to the two names previously mentioned. On loan from a Premier League club at a League One club, as well as having spent some time at Reading.

Whilst he never truly kicked on with Reading, Ballard did well as an 18-year-old in a tough division. He scored three goals as a bit part player, which is a good enough job in my books. Now however, he looks like he’s ready to become a key man at Blackpool. Ballard has made two appearances and has already got off the mark.

Ballard is quite frankly a striker, but it doesn’t mean he’s not comfortable on the wings, and he has previously played and put in good shifts there. He’s only 19, and very mouldable for any manager who gets their hands on him.

Given his position, and Southampton’s acquisition of Cameron Archer for a significant fee this summer, Ballard’s future at Southampton already looks uncertain. So he may well be available as a very realistic target for Sunderland next summer.

Joel Randall - Peterborough United

An almost completely predictable hear me out moment, trust me I know that Joel Randall is predominantly an attacking midfielder now, but let’s not forget that Randall broke through at Exeter City as a winger.

Following great form in Devon, Randall earned himself a move to Peterborough in the Championship. Whilst his first two years were disappointing, not registering a single goal or assist and facing a relegation, Randall has really woken up in the past two seasons.

Still only 24, Randall managed 17 league goal contributions in League One last season, and it looks like he might best those figures this season. Playing in the number ten role, Randall has scored two in the opening three fixtures, and has been a mainstay in the league’s team of the week.

With the amount of money that Sunderland have received for Clarke from Ipswich, Sunderland could certainly tempt him to the North-East before the transfer deadline. The question that remains is if Randall could recreate his form in attacking midfield if forced out to the wing.

Romaine Mundle - Sunderland

You thought we forgot, but sometimes an in-house promotion pays off more than any other option.

Mundle signed for the Black Cats from Belgian outfit Standard Liege last winter, and despite only scoring one goal, Mundle did play his part in Sunderland’s second half of the 2023/24 season.

It’s clear to see the potential that the 21-year-old possesses, much like Clarke, Mundle spent time at Tottenham Hotspur and was once a highly rated prospect within the Premier League side’s hierarchy. His raw ability alone is enough to convince Sunderland fans they might already have a replacement for their talisman at the club.

His pace, technical ability and misdirection is second to none, and will remind opposing full-backs all too much of Jack Clarke. While Ipswich’s new man finalised his deal in East Anglia, Mundle was awarded his first start of the season, and he repaid that trust with an expertly taken goal. It’s worth noting, his goal was the winner in a huge match against Burnley, who have outclassed every other team they’ve faced in the division so far.

Whilst it’s up to Sunderland whether they want to sanction a move for a replacement, or allow Regis Le Bris’ to work with the tools he already has at his disposal, The Black Cat’s have some serious options to work with as they push for promotion this campaign.