Once again, Sunderland are in the market for a new striker.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is again under pressure; not only to delver positive results in the transfer market, but to deliver new boss Regis Le Bris a new striker or two.
The Black Cats have been plagued by a striker woe for the past year-and-a-half now. Now with a few weeks left of the summer transfer window, Sunderland are yet to sign a single striker.
Though several have been linked with summer moves to the Stadium of Light, most notably of late is Ike Ugbo.
But it appears as though Sheffield Wednesday are set to sign Ugbo ahead of Sunderland, who have also been linked with Alexandre Mendy at Caen.
For Speakman and Sunderland, the hunt for a new striker could quickly become desperate, and it could once again go down to the wire with the summer transfer window closing on August 30th.
One new name mentioned alongside the Black Cats, albeit speculatively on social media, is Ross Stewart.
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Stewart left Sunderland for Southampton in the summer of 2023.
Since, the 28-year-old has managed just four league outings for the Saints, last playing in the Championship play-off final in which Southampton beat Leeds United to earn promotion.
This summer, Stewart has featured sporadically. He’s recently sustained a minor setback but Saints boss Russell Martin insists that Stewart is on the comeback trail ahead of the new season.
Stewart, who earns £28,000-a-week at St Mary’s per online sources, scored 40 goals in 80 first-team games for Sunderland, and was a huge fan favourite during his time at the club.
But Speakman must think very carefully about a speculative loan return for Stewart, who’s already been tipped to stay at Southampton this summer.
Kristjaan Speakman facing hit or miss call over possible Ross Stewart return to Sunderland
Sunderland fans have mixed feelings about Stewart.
There was no doubting his ability to score goals, and indeed his overall ability in attack, but he appeared quick to jump ship when he opportunity came calling.
Now with Sunderland in need of a striker and Stewart likely to find game-time limited in the Premier League next season, a loan move, and a possible loan return to Sunderland appears to make a lot of sense.
For Speakman though, adding another injury-prone player to the mix, when Sunderland have struggled so much with injuries in the past two years, doesn’t seem so sensible.
On top of that, Sunderland may be expected to pay a chunk of his wages, and if Stewart does return and does spend time on the sidelines, it’s money down the drain.
Then there’s the discussion over whether or not Sunderland fans would even want Stewart to return, which remains up for debate.
But that said, if Stewart does return, stays fit and scores goals, it would be a very welcome signing for Le Bris, who definitely needs a goal-scorer or two this summer.