Phil Sumbler
With one link to Leeds United defender Cody Drameh seeimingly speculative at best, another ne emerged yesterday that Sunderland could be prepared to cash in on their striker Ross Stewart, a player that interested the Swans in the January transfer window.
Back then the price for Stewart, as the Black Cats made their way towards promotion, was out of our budget in the window and, despite interest from elsewhere, Stewart stayed at the Stadium of Light to help them back into the Championship.
Yesterday, the Sunderland Echo reported that Rangers and Celtic were both interested in Stewart and again suggested that the Swans were interested back in the summer. Any interest from the Swans then would surely have been a ‘security’ in case of a sale of Joel Piroe or Michael Obafemi but with both of them still in SA1 it is difficult to understand why we would have any interest in the striker.
Stewart scored five goals in the opening seven games for Sunderland at Championship level but has been absent since September due to a muscle injury. Surprisingly his contract expires this summer so the need to do something with his future will be very high up their agenda although they do hold an option to extend that contract until Summer 2024.
It has been reported that Stewart has been made a “lucrative” offer to stay at the Stadium of Light but that there could be a desire to sell if those terms cannot be tied down.
Sunderland co-owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus recently told Sunderland fans “We are having ongoing conversations and we’re all hopeful that it will lead to a successful outcome.”
Stewart is thought to be nearing a return to full fitness although that may not be in time for a return to league action when the Championship returns to action the weekend after next.
For us I don’t think there is anything in there. Budgets, lack of space in his position and interest from elsewhere will dictate that part. We clearly have had interest before in the player but it doesn’t feel like something that currently makes its way onto our immediate January priorities.
