THE agent of Jack Clarke admits he has "no idea" at this stage how the summer will play out for the in-demand winger  - but says Sunderland's reluctance to budge from their current wage structure means it's unlikely he'll sign a new deal at the Stadium of Light.

Ian Harte says Clarke - whose current contract is due to expire in 2026 - "loves it" at Sunderland and wanted to sign a new deal last summer.

The Black Cats tabled an offer but Harte said it "wasn't good enough" and while he would never completely rule out the chances of Clarke extending his stay, he said: "I don't think (Sunderland) want to break any structure for any football player so I can't see it happening, no."

It means a summer of speculation is now again inevitable, with Clarke - who has missed Sunderland's last five games with an ankle injury - having turned heads at several clubs in the top flight and overseas this season thanks to his blistering form on Wearside.

"At the moment everything is quiet and the main focus for Jack is getting back fit, getting back in the team and helping the team," said Harte.

"He's had a remarkable season. We'll just have to wait and see what the summer brings for Jack and Sunderland.

"He has two years left at Sunderland. It depends whether clubs come in and who comes in.

"Lazio did come in in the January window, I think they bid €14 or €15 million with  €4m add-ons. Sunderland didn't think that was good enough. We'll just have to wait and see.

"There's not many people know it but in Jack's contract he had a few games at the start of this season then to get offered a new deal. There was a deal that was offered but it wasn't  good enough.

"We were happy to sign a deal but that was earlier on in the summer time and it hasn't been revisited.

"The simple fact is Jack and myself wanted to sign an additional contract last summer. This was in his contract but unfortunately the club has a structure and didn't want to break it.  We did want to engage and sign a new deal.

"Maybe in the summer that might change, we'll have to wait and see. There's always a chance. I would never close any door.

"Jack loves it at Sunderland Football Club so we'll just have to wait and see what the next couple of months bring."

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Clarke's immediate focus is on returning to action, with Sunderland winless in the absence of the former Leeds and Tottenham winger.

The 23-year-old is making positive progress but Sunderland's star man is not yet back in training with the squad and it remains unclear when he'll be ready to return.

Speaking to Free Bets, Harte said  "He got the boot off probably about a week ago.

"He's with the physio doing one on one stuff at the moment so I'm not sure when he'll be back, but he'll be back before the end of the season.

"I think it's important he gets the ankle right. I'm sure the medical staff will know when he's right. I think he's doing a little bit of training at the moment, not with the group, just with the physios.

"They will judge and not chuck him in too early. It's important he comes back and his ankle is right and he can help the team.

"Unfortunately for footballers we all get injuries. The good thing for Jack is it wasn't a bad, bad injury. Now he has hit boot off, he has his smile back on his face, he's looking forward to getting back in with the group and help them finish the season on a high."

The transfer uncertainty last summer and in January had no impact on Clarke's performances on the pitch - if anything, it's brought the best out of him - and Harte says the winger will continue to be unaffected by any speculation.

He said: "Jack is a top quality player. Last year he did well, this season he's stepped up. He just wants to finish the season on a high and see what the summer brings.

"Burnley came in last summer then Lazio in January. Players have to focus on what you can do on the pitch, Jack did that.

"Jack was in the meeting (last summer) and we had a chat with Kristjaan (Speakman) and Kyril (Louis-Dreyfus), the owner, two really good guys.

"We had a good chat. They didn't feel the valuation was right. I had a chat with Jack and we felt it was important he got his head down, focused on the season ahead, which he has done, and he's been one of, if not, the best winger in the Championship this season."

It's been a turbulent season at Sunderland, with Tony Mowbray's December sacking met by disappointment in the dressing room, said Harte, who believes his replacement Michael Beale was on a "hiding to nothing" at the Stadium of Light.

He said: "I was gutted - and I think the majority of the squad were gutted - when Tony Mowbray got the sack. I think they were three points off the play-offs at that time. He's a top, top manager and brilliant for the younger players as well because he brings them in.

"With Jack and Niall Huggins (who Harte also represents) his door was open, a really good guy, good manager and I was sad to see him leave."

On Beale, Harte added: "It's unfortunate for any manager going into a club and not getting time. I don't think the fans really wanted him, which is unfortunate for any manager because you need time to get your philosophy and style implemented on the pitch.

"It was always difficult because the fans didn't really want him and he was on a hiding to nothing."