EXCLUSIVE: Southampton shelve interest in Sunderland striker Ross Stewart

Sunderland striker Ross Stewart has one fewer options now with Southampton pulling out of the race.

Author:
Michael Graham
Publish date:
Jul 30, 2023 11:20 AM EDT

Southampton have shelved their interest in Sunderland striker Ross Stewart after deciding to move for an alternative target instead.

Stewart is in the final year of his contract with the Black Cats and has so far rejected a number of offers to extend his stay at the Wearside club.

That has seen a host of clubs form a queue to register an interest in the Scotland international, and Southampton were at the very front of it with their new boss Russell Martin a known admirer.

However, it now appears that option will be denied to Stewart, with the Saints apparently pushing forward with other plans.

Whether that opens the door again for Sunderland to keep their top striker remains to be seen. The two parties were some way apart on terms when Stewart rejected the latest offer earlier this month.

Stewart is not short on admirers either. Middlesbrough have been credited with an interest before, although they reportedly ended that interest some time ago. Stoke boss Alex Neil remains a big fan of the player, but it’s unlikely the Potters could fund a move now and they would be unlikely to win the race should he become a free agent.

Rangers remain very keen too, and Greek side Olympiakos have taken an interest in Stewart before. Both of those clubs have an advantage in that they would be able to sign Stewart to a pre-contract in January.

It may offer fresh encouragement to Sunderland too, though, and they will continue a dialogue with Stewart in the hope of him deciding to commit his future to the club.

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