Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray insists Ross Stewart will only leave for a ‘huge bid’ as Championship rivals Southampton look to bring the centre-forward to St Mary’s before Friday’s deadline.
With Nathan Tella gone already and with both Che Adams and Kamaldeen Sulemana facing uncertain futures heading into the final 24 hours of the window, it is no wonder Southampton are looking to reinforce a frontline which could yet by hit even harder by further departures.
And it’s testament to how highly Saints boss Russell Martin rates Ross Stewart and Southampton appear happy to overlook an Achilles injury which has kept him out of action for months, and continues to keep him on the sidelines.
Martin admitted on Wednesday that he is a big fan of the Scotland international, having tried and failed to sign Stewart at MK Dons (Northern Echo).
Southampton hoping to land Sunderland striker Ross Stewart
Sunderland are holding out for £10 million. That is £2.5 million more than Southampton have offered at this stage, though there is a ‘confidence’ that an agreement is forthcoming (Sky Sports).
Mowbray, meanwhile, insists that – even if Sunderland receive an offer so ‘huge’ that they cannot turn it down – a replacement of equal quality must be brought in.
“What I would suggest is that he can’t be getting sold,” Mowbray tells The Chronicle. “Unless the knight in shining armour comes riding through the door. I’d think and hope that would be the case.
“I’d think that we’d have a striker for the future if Ross did (leave). Truthfully, I don’t know what will happen with Ross.”
27-year-old Stewart scored 11 goals in 15 games last season. What’s more, he still appears reluctant to extend a contract which expires in the summer of 2024.
“The scenario hasn’t changed for me,” Mowbray adds. “He’s either going to be here after Friday. Or, we take a huge bid for him, and we spend all the money on strikers who are going to make the difference for us.
“That’s football. The next one has to come in and score the goals and be the new hero.”
Sunderland remain in contention for Tom Cannon; the appropriately-named Everton youngster who shone on loan at Preston last term. Zorya Luhansk frontman Nazariy Rusyn, meanwhile, has also spoken openly about Sunderland’s interest in him.
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