3 reasons why Sunderland must not sanction transfer of Middlesbrough target in January window | OneFootball

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Football League World

·30 November 2022

3 reasons why Sunderland must not sanction transfer of Middlesbrough target in January window

Article image:3 reasons why Sunderland must not sanction transfer of Middlesbrough target in January window

Tony Mowbray will hope to have a busy January transfer window as he looks to make his mark on the Sunderland squad.

Whilst the boss is going to be focusing on incomings, it appears the Black Cats could have a battle to keep hold of one of their key men. That’s after reports suggested Middlesbrough are plotting a move to sign Ross Stewart in the January transfer window.


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The Scotsman scored 26 goals to help Sunderland to promotion last season and he was superb in the opening part of the current campaign, netting five times in seven before suffering an injury.

Yet, with Stewart effectively entering the final 18 months of his deal due to the option the club have, and no fresh terms agreed so far, the New Year may represent Sunderland’s best chance to get a high fee for the player.

However, here we outline THREE reasons why they must not sell the 26-year-old in January…

It impacts their play-off chances

Even though Sunderland are 15th, they’re only four points away from the top six.

Admittedly, it’s the same gap to the bottom three, but with the football Mowbray’s side have been playing, fans should be optimistic. As well as that, the prospect of Stewart and Ellis Simms getting a run of games together should excite everyone as they could be devastating if they remain fit.

So, promotion is still a possibility but losing Stewart would be a massive blow.

Which club did Sunderland sell these 19 players to?

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Article image:3 reasons why Sunderland must not sanction transfer of Middlesbrough target in January window

Anton Ferdinand

Bursaspor West Ham QPR Trabzonspor

It strengthens a rival

Following on from that, not only will Sunderland weaken themselves but they will also improve Middlesbrough.

They are on the same points as the Black Cats right now, so they have to be treated as rivals for a play-off spot, which will be the aim for both you would imagine.

When you add into the fact the two are local rivals, even if it’s not the big rivalry in the north-east, it would make no sense whatsoever for Sunderland to lose their key man in January.

It sends out the wrong message

Finally, Sunderland are a big club who will have ambitions of returning to the Premier League in the future.

So, they need to be able to retain their key players, especially from sides who have similar hopes to them, meaning losing Stewart to Boro would be more than just a normal transfer.

Of course, if Stewart won’t sign a contract he is going to leave but it will cause concern if he sees Boro as a step up.

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