Middlesbrough expecting Ross Stewart to sign a new Sunderland contract - report

Encouraging news for Sunderland as reason for Middlesbrough striker move revealed.

Michael Graham | Jan 4, 2023

Middlesbrough expecting Ross Stewart to sign a new Sunderland contract - report /

Middlesbrough abandoned their pursuit of Ross Stewart because they expect him to sign a new contract at Sunderland, it has been reported.

The Teesside club moved for Cameron Archer on Wednesday, with the Aston Villa striker set to complete a loan deal.

That will see them now drop out of any race to sign Sunderland star Stewart, who is discussing a new deal to extend his stay at the Stadium of Light.

And, according to the Gazette who are generally very well-informed from the Middlesbrough side, they moved for Archer after receiving little encouragement from Stewart’s camp.

“They initially tried for Archer on a permanent, or for the loan agreement to include an option to buy,” The Gazette reported, “but Villa were at this stage unwilling to commit to such a deal with uncertainty still over the 21-year-old's long-term future at Villa Park.

“They blocked loan moves in the summer but have given the young forward just seven short cameo appearances in the first half of the season.

“Boro had explored other options including Sunderland's Ross Stewart, but they felt Stewart's preference was remaining at Sunderland and therefore didn't want to be part of a long, drawn-out process that ultimately just ended in Stewart signing a new contract on Wearside.”

That will ultimately be encouraging news for Sunderland. It’s starting to become very clear that Stewart does not want to leave Sunderland, so hopefully a new deal can be agreed soon.

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Published Jan 4, 2023

MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham is a professional sports writer with more than ten years of industry experience. After pursuing football writing by helping establish the Roker Report Sunderland AFC fansite, Michael moved to Planet Sport to cover football. Michael has since worked on many of the sports sites within the Planet Sport network, including Football365, TEAMtalk and Planet Football before leaving to join 90min. As well as football, Michael is an accomplished tennis writer and has been regularly featured on Tennishead, TennisBuzz and Tennis365. It is football that is his first love, though, with Sunderland AFC his particular passion. Contact: michael@buzzpublishing.co.uk