Sunderland’s price tag on one of their top players is scaring off a Premier League side this summer, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Black Cats have just brought in a new boss in the shape of Frenchman Regis Le Bris, but the jury is out on what squad he will start the new campaign with.
The club have players who are wanted, with goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, midfielder Jobe Bellingham and winger Jack Clarke all drawing interest.
Southampton, back in the Premier League, are big admirers of Clarke and feel he could make the step up.
They would make a move to sign him if they feel the price is right, but Sunderland are demanding £18m.
Saints feel that is a sum which is far too high and it is causing them to cool their interest.
The 23-year-old turned out 40 times in the Championship last term for Sunderland and scored 15 goals in the process, standing out amid a poor Black Cats season.
He scored in a 5-0 drubbing of Southampton early in the campaign.
Clarke has another two years left to run on his deal at the Stadium of Light.
