Clarke, 23, has notched 13 goals and three assists this season to reaffirm his status as one of the Championship’s most exciting young talents.
Serie A giants Lazio made two separate bids for the former Tottenham man, the last a take-itor-leave-it offer of £14m in the final hours of the window.
But with a play-off place at stake, Sunderland rejected the Italian side’s advances and Clarke stayed on Wearside.
“There was some noise around Jack Clarke,” admitted Beale. “But every single day Jack trains ever so well, is focused and seems very happy here.
“I never felt at any stage that we were going to lose anybody. The boys all seem really into what we are doing.”
This story is from the February 04, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
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This story is from the February 04, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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