Ross Stewart Sunderland transfer resolve to be tested by Southampton in new approach after opening £5m bid KOd
Russell Martin's side remain undeterred and look set to ramp up their bid for the Scotland cap.
Southampton are ready to go back in for Ross Stewart after having an opening £5million-plus offer for the Scotland star knocked back.
The first bid has been tabled over the past 48 hours and included significant add-ons but has been turned down. The Saints are ready to up the ante again to land the big striker from their Championship rivals – in a move that could hit the £8million mark – before the close of the window. Stewart has been Southampton manager Russell Martin’s top target all summer.
They had been linked with Aberdeen's Bojan Miovski but the Scotland cap was always the man they wanted. The move was slowed down as Stewart made his return from injury. The frontman is now back training with the Sunderland first-team and Saints are hot the trail. The problem for Sunderland is that Stewart is now in the final year of his contract and is unlikely to sign an extension.
Ironically, Southampton travel to Sunderland this weekend although Stewart. Championship rivals Stoke City are also keen on Stewart but don’t have the financial muscle to compete with Southampton.
That is likely to be bolstered by the sale of Scotland star Che Adams before the close of the window, with Crystal Palace now interested after an offer was rejected from Everton. Any move could see Ross County land a significant sell-on from the deal who they sold for £400,000.