Phil SumblerIt was interesting links that Rob reported on this morning as the Daily Record suggested that the Swans were in talks with Sunderland over their 18 goal striker Ross Stewart with a view to bringing him to Wales before the window ends.
Russell Martin has tried on two previous occasions to sign Stewart – when he was at Ross County – failing on both occasions and eventually Stewart joined the Black Cats on the last day of the January transfer window.
Martin’s first attempt to sign the striker was back in September 2020 when he offered £300,000 with “significant” add-ons but Ross County stood firm with manager Stuart Kettlewell saying at the time “There’s been another couple of bids for Ross but they’ve still fallen seriously short.” Martin tried to play down the links at the time but never denied making the move as Stewart stayed put.
Martin and MK Dons were back in for him then last January although this time the reported bid was £100,000 with Stewart down to the last six months of his contract. The Northern Echo reported the bid just two days before Sunderland completed a deal for an “undisclosed fee.”
“Ross is a player that will be great for us in the short term, but he can also develop and improve over the long term,” said head coach Lee Johnson at the time of Stewart signing.
“He’s at a good age, he’s very fit and quick, and he obviously has good height as well, so he has all attributes to succeed.”
37 league appearances later and 20 league goals for Sunderland to his name and Stewart is hot property. There are rumours that Premier League clubs have had him watched but with Sunderland at the top end of League One and hoping for a Championship return there seems little desire or requirement on them to sell.
What is clear is that after two failed bids Russell Martin is a fan of the player and his scoring record since moving to England speaks volumes as to why he would remain so. But with Sunderland not having a need to sell then the price tag is surely going to be outside of Swansea’s reach even if there was a couple of transfer fees coming in in the course of the next couple of weeks.
There is little doubt that should Sunderland even show an inkling to sell then there would be demand beyond any interest that we may show and it is difficult to believe that there is any chance of this rumour turning into anything other than it is at the minute.
This is the January window mind and stranger things have happened but not many!
Totally agree. As a Sunderland fan I can tell you that there would be riots if Stewart was sold this window unless we absolutely ripped your eyes out for him.
We’re gunning for promotion, and we absolutely don’t want to derail that by selling our leading goalscorer, and a top all-round player to boot. What is promotion to the Championship worth? That’s what you would need to pay. We’re talking £20m+, and I know that sound ridiculous and it is. That’s what he’s worth to Sunderland.
Also, look at it this way, if we get promoted (looking good at the moment), why would he move from Sunderland to Swansea? I don’t mean to be disrespectful but Sunderland are a much bigger team and would have considerable financial clout in the Champsionship.
We don’t need to sell, and so for you to have any chance you would be absolutely taken to the cleaners financially.
Macque, with the greatest respect intended, £20million for a League 1 striker is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my life.
Sunderland stand to make £6million extra per year in league solidarity and merit award payments if they are promoted to the Championship.
How can you feasibly suggest that he is worth over 3 times more than what Sunderland would gain from promotion?
Irrespective of whether it is wrong, based on your analysis, he’s worth £6million.
Realistically, £1million would be the market value and enough to tempt Sunderland to sell. In any event, it’s a moot point because Swansea won’t be spending that sort of money.
Totally agree with James there Macque, £20 million??? You paid £300k for him less than a year ago mate! Sure, he’s progressed and scored plenty of goals since then but £20 million is just ridiculous….