Sunderland are reportedly battling Aston Villa in the race to sign Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart.
Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart in action with Tottenham’s Josh Onomah
According to the Daily Mail, Sunderland have joined the race for Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart, with the midfielder allegedly looking for a summer move away from Anfield.
The Black Cats have suffered relegation to the Championship, and whilst Saturday’s 2-0 win at Hull City was a major positive, manager David Moyes faces a rebuilding job this summer.
Jordan Pickford, Lamine Kone and Jermain Defoe are all expected to leave the club for Premier League returns, whilst Moyes is likely to ship out a number of players ahead of the Championship season.
Improved recruitment is vital for Sunderland after struggling in the transfer market before and during this season, and the Daily Mail report that Liverpool midfielder Kevin Stewart is a target for the club.
Stewart, 23, joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur back in 2014, and he has made 20 first-team appearances for the Reds, including seven Premier League games last season.
Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
Now though, Sky Sports claim that Stewart wants to leave this summer to pursue first team football elsewhere, with Aston Villa, Brighton, Burnley, Derby County, Norwich City and Stoke City all keen.
Sunderland and Villa will be two of the biggest teams in the Championship next season, and the Black Cats will be hoping to fend off their former manager Steve Bruce in the race for Stewart’s signature.
Liverpool’s Kevin Stewart
Villa have considerably more money to spend thanks to Tony Xia’s investment, and after struggling to attract players to the Stadium of Light in recent times, the Black Cats may also find themselves struggling to beat off Villa and Bruce in the race to sign Stewart, who appears to be spoilt for choice heading into the summer transfer window.
One thing that could work in Sunderland’s favour is that Villa do already have Mile Jedinak, Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury in midfield, all of whom have been bought in the last 12 months.
Stewart’s entire reason for looking to leave Liverpool is that he wants playing time elsewhere, and if David Moyes can convince him that he will feature prominently, he could just fend off Villa and their riches – even if it’s only taking Stewart on loan.
Who do you think Stewart should join this summer?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
