EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland will let Ross Stewart to leave as Southampton renew their interest
Sunderland anticipates a strong deadline-day bid from Southampton for Ross Stewart.
With Southampton rekindling their interest in Ross Stewart, Sunderland’s search for a new senior striker may have just become a lot more tricky.
Stewart has not played since January due to a catastrophic Achilles injury, although he is nearing the end of his current contract and is unlikely to sign a new one.
Stewart had been a fan of new Southampton manager Russell Martin since he was in charge of MK Dons, but Sunderland beat him to the Scotsman’s signature when they signed him from Ross County in January 2021.
Sunderland’s hunt for a new senior striker may have just become a lot more difficult, with Southampton rekindling their interest in Ross Stewart.
Stewart has not played since January due to a horrific Achilles injury, but his current contract is coming to an end and he is unlikely to sign a new one.
Stewart had been a fan of current Southampton manager Russell Martin while he was in charge of MK Dons, but Sunderland signed the Scotsman from Ross County in January 2021.
That put him on the Saints’ transfer radar all summer, however they dropped their interest in him a few weeks ago to explore other targets. Those targets, however, have not been met, and they have now returned their attention to Stewart in the last days of the transfer window.
Sunderland are now bracing themselves for a genuine bid from the South Coast for Stewart, and his contractual impasse has left them willing to sell.
No deal will be sanctioned, however, until Sunderland find their own replacement, which means there could be some transfer drama right up until the deadline.
Tony Mowbray recently indicated his desire for Stewart to stay on Wearside and sign a new contract.
“I’m hoping Ross Stewart gets fit and, whether he signs a contract or doesn’t sign a contract, he scores 20 goals between whenever he is fit and the end of the season,” Mowbray said in a statement.
“I still believe, somewhere along the line, the supporters have still got a huge part to play with Ross Stewart.
“OK, he’s not signed a deal, but if he is scoring goals, enjoying his football, the crowd are singing his name, he’s their hero, why wouldn’t you sign for a club with 46,000 supporters all singing your name? Ross just wants to be where he is loved and cared for, and there isn’t a bigger, better, football club in this league than this one.”
However, as the clock ticks down towards the deadline, it appears the focus will shift instead to replacing the Scotsman.
