Phillips issues ‘ridiculous’ Sunderland claim after journalist’s Clarke-Harris update
Jonson Clarke-Harris would “bully” defenders in League One if he signed for Sunderland this month, according to Kevin Phillips.
However, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner urged his former club not to spend £6million on the 27-year-old.
According to talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook last Wednesday (12 January), Lee Johnson is keen to bolster his attack with the Peterborough striker.
The Championship side are said to want upwards of £6million for last season’s top scorer in League One.
Clarke-Harris has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at London Road.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs for his assessment of the update, Phillips said: “No, no, not for £6million.
“I don’t think it’s worth paying that for a 27-year-old. I think there is better players out there for that sort of money.
“Spend it on someone younger who you can get more years out of or who will become more of an asset. Spending £6million on him would be a big gamble in my opinion.
“In League One, he’s a brilliant player. He’d score goals.
“But from a business point of view, it doesn’t make sense to me. We have seen Sunderland waste ridiculous amounts of money over the years and get little to no return.
“I would be very cautious signing Clarke-Harris at that kind of money. If you could get him for the right price he’d be a great signing. He would bully people in that league.”
In other news, Sunderland tipped to complete centre-back signing by Phillips after news confirmed.