Sunderland eye Ross Stewart successor in South American "rising star" | OneFootball

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Sunderland are eyeing South American youngster Luciano Rodriguez as a long-term successor to Ross Stewart.

According to reports from Alan Nixon via Patreon, the Black Cats are chasing the young Uruguayan striker who is said to be a "rising star".

Nixon claims that Sunderland's top scout Stuart Harvey was in South America last week and on the trail of the 20-year-old.

Nixon reveals Rodriguez is an ambitious target for Sunderland, but explains that they have the cash following Ross Stewart's sale to Southampton this summer.

Indeed, The Sun also claim that Rodriguez is seen as a long-term replacement for Stewart.

Who is Luciano Rodriguez?

Luciano Rodriquez is a young South American forward, currently playing his football in his native Uruguay for Liverpool FC Montevideo.

Liverpool FC Montevideo play in the top division of Uruguayan football.

According to Transfermarkt, Rodrguez also has many youth international caps for Uruguay, with 33 appearances for his country's Under-20 side under his belt.

In those matches, he has scored 11 goals.

Rodriguez is yet to be capped at senior level by Uruguay.

Do Sunderland need to sign another striker?

Even before Ross Stewart's departure this summer, it is as though Sunderland knew it was coming.

Indeed, in the transfer market, the club went out and signed not one, not two, not three, but four new centre-forwards during the summer transfer window, all of whom were young and fitting within the club's recent approach to acquiring young talent.

As you can see below, the likes of Nazariy Rusin, Eliezer Mayenda, Luis Semedo and Mason Burstow were all brought in either permanently or on loan in Burstow's case in order to address the issue.

Despite that, though, none of the young forwards are yet to make the number nine spot their own, leading to Sunderland being linked with forwards once again.

This time it is Rodriguez, but just weeks ago, AFC Wimbledon star Ali Al-Hamidi was reportedly the name in their sights.

Sunderland could certainly do with stronger options up front and ones capable of contributing right away.

Whether Rodriguez would be that, or simply another young forward to add to their already large ranks remains to be seen.