Middlesbrough join Celtic and Rangers in race for Sunderland star | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have taken an interest in Sunderland striker Ross Stewart ahead of the January transfer window, according to a report from the Daily Record.

The 26-year-old made an exceptional start to the season at the Stadium of Light, managing to capitalise on the momentum he built last term with five goals and three assists in seven league appearances.

A thigh injury has prevented him from making more of an impact so far this season – but he looks set to return after the World Cup break and will be keen to make a similar impact with the Scotsman making the step up to the Championship seamlessly.

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His current contract expires at the end of the campaign which is bad news for Tony Mowbray’s side – but they do have a lifeline with the Black Cats able to trigger a 12-month extension on his existing deal.

With 18 months effectively left on his deal, Mowbray’s side could be willing to cash in on him during the January transfer window and Scottish Premiership duo Celtic and Rangers are both understood to be keen on him.

The Daily Record has added Boro as another side that are interested in securing his services, although it remains to be seen whether they can match the Black Cats’ valuation.

The Verdict:

With the money they generated from Djed Spence and Marcus Tavernier’s sales, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if they managed to launch an offer that matched their league rivals’ valuation of their star man.

However, you feel Mowbray’s men will charge Boro higher for him than Celtic or Rangers considering the Teesside outfit are in the same division as them and it would be preferable for them if he went to a different league.

Being linked with other strikers in the summer and Brighton forward Evan Ferguson more recently, it wouldn’t be a shock if Michael Carrick made a move for a forward when 2023 comes around so the Black Cats need to be on high alert.

From the player’s point of view, it would be difficult to see him moving on at this point despite Boro still having a real chance of being in the promotion mix at the end of the season, because a switch to the Riverside wouldn’t be too much of a step up at this stage.

And he seems to be adored on Wearside, so he may decide to stay put even if an attractive salary offer is made by the Teesside club.