Ross Stewart becomes a hot transfer target

According to transfer experts, Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Crystal Palace, and Brentford compete to have the services of former Sunderland striker Ross Stewart.

Stewart moved to Sunderland from Ross County last year, and in 62 starts and 13 substitute appearances, he has scored 36 goals. Stewart, 26 years old, has caught the attention of some elite clubs after an outstanding 2021–22 season. He continued his recent form by scoring 26 goals, helping Sunderland get promoted to the Championship. Despite moving up a division, Stewart has still scored six goals and provided three assists in eight games. Due to a chronic hamstring ailment, he has only played in eight games, but he is finally back.

Ross Stewart

His contract is rumored to expire in the summer, at which point he will be free to sign with another club, but Tony Mowbray appeared to affirm an option to extend that term by a year. This raises questions about his future.

Rangers, Stoke City, and Middlesbrough are thought to be the three clubs most interested in signing Ross Stewart.

Rangers

Stewart was reportedly Rangers' main priority for a striker in the summer transfer window, according to The Northern Echo. Instead, they signed Antonio Colak, although Stewart's appeal still exists. especially considering the fact that he scored in August against Beale's QPR.

The Rangers are one of the teams still interested in Stewart. The two-time Scotland star, however, is attracting the most interest from Middlesbrough. Stoke, Brentford, Palace, and Blackburn are also interested.

Ranger continued to be interest in purchasing Ross Stewart

The Rangers do require a striker. Even if Alfredo Morelos stays and Antonio Colak keeps scoring, the Rangers still require a top scorer. mostly because Beale has indicated he likes playing two up top occasionally.

Stewart's contract expires at the end of the current campaign. The Rangers do have an advantage over all other interested teams in that they can set up a pre-contract arrangement. English clubs won't be able to do so until his contract expires next month. 

At Sunderland, negotiations for a new contract have come to a standstill. Stewart might find a move to the Premier League premature since he will want to maintain his first-choice status. A sideways move is a championship move. The Rangers are the best choice.

Stoke City

Alex Neil, coach of Stoke City is also interested in acquiring this player to bolster their strength. Financial Fair Play regulations, however, have restricted Stoke in the transfer market, especially since 2019, but it would be assumed that they would be able to reinvest any money they were able to gain from sales. The Premier League has been showing interest in Harry Souttar.

Alex Neil, coach of Stoke City who really want to have Stewart in the squad

Middlesbrough

According to Keith Downie, a sports reporter, "MMiddlesbrough are showing the strongest interest from a clutch of clubs wanting to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart." Stewart could leave in January, with Blackburn and Stoke City, as well as Rangers, interested."Crystal Palace and Brentford are also keeping an eye on things."

Middlesbrough are interested in securing his services before the January transfer deadline if the price offered by Sunderlands is reasonable for them.
Middlesbrough also want to have the service of Steward

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if they were able to launch an offer that was comparable to what their league competitors were willing to pay for their star player with the money they made through the sales of Djed Spence and Marcus Tavernier.

Although the Teesside team is in the same tier as them and it would be better for them if he went to a different league, you feel Mowbray's men will charge Boro more for him than Celtic or Rangers.

Sunderland may potentially trade Stewart after reports in recent weeks suggested that they would demand $10 million to sell up as fresh contract negotiations stalled.

Any Championship club would probably be discouraged from making a January move for Stewart given that price tag.

The interest is probably not going to be any higher since second-tier clubs, let alone clubs like Stoke, just do not have that kind of financial power to invest all at once.

Of course, if Stewart insists on leaving, things might change, but that doesn't seem to be the situation at the moment.

Ross Stewart wishes to remain with Sunderlands, according to Tony Mowbray, the club's current manager. 

 "If there is interest, it doesn’t come to me." I’m anticipating Ross just enjoying his football, really. He’s been out for four months or so; I think he’ll just want to play, score, and do well."

"There’s no real emergency around his contract situation." He still has 18 months to go. I’m sure those conversations will still be ongoing. Ross will just be ready to play and enjoy his football, and that’s his personality. He’s a good lad. It's fantastic that he's returned and immediately hit the ground running, scoring in his first few games."Hopefully that will continue."

Reporter Downie also said:

"Stewart is settled at Sunderland and wants to stay, but talks over a new contract have reached an impasse. Other clubs are offering significantly higher wages, and #SAFC could cash in on him right away. If Stewart goes, Sunderland could replace him with Blackpool striker Jerry Yates."