MacGregor wants Jason Naismith stay amid Sunderland speculation

Sunderland reportedly want Ross County’s Jason Naismith.

A general view of the Stadium of Light before the Premier League match between Sunderland and Middlesbrough at Stadium of Light on August 21, 2016 in Sunderland, England.

Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor has told The Press and Journal that he does not want Jason Naismith to leave amid reported interest from Sunderland, Peterborough United, Burton Albion, Aberdeen and Plymouth Argyle.

According to The Press and Journal, Sunderland are the clear favourites for Naismith and have made a £200,000 bid for the 23-year-old right-back.

Aberdeen are reported to have made a formal inquiry, while League One sides Peterborough and Burton are also claimed to have made bids.

County chairman MacGregor has said that he does not want the 23-year-old right-back to leave in the summer transfer window, although he has stated that he will speak to the former Scotland Under-21 international and see what the defender wants to do.

A general view of the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Southampton at Stadium of Light on February 11, 2017 in Sunderland, England.

MacGregor told The Press and Journal: “Jason has been on holiday and is only just coming back. We’ve had a couple of bids in and a couple of inquiries and I don’t want him to go. I want him to stay and help us make the recharge towards the Premiership.

“He might feel this is not the place for him and he wants to play at the highest level he can. It will very much be when I talk to him that I see how he really feels about it.”

A general view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and AFC Bournemouth at the Stadium of Light on April 29, 2017 in Sunderland, England.