3 factors that will dictate Ross Stewart’s future at Sunderland

As the summer transfer window nears, we are starting to see more and more links between EFL players and other clubs. 

Sunderland striker and League One joint-top scorer Ross Stewart is the latest player to be named in such a report, with the Northern Echo claiming that Rangers have joined Norwich City and Swansea City in the race for him.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed the most productive season of his career to date – scoring 22 times and providing five assists – and that in turn has seen him make his international debut for Scotland.

As Stewart’s stock continues to rise, the uncertainty over his future rises with it and the towering forward is now set to enter the final 12 months of his Black Cats contract.

Ahead of what could be a busy summer for the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’, we’ve highlighted three factors that may dictate his future at Sunderland…

How contract discussions go 

Black Cats boss Alex Neil has insisted that discussions over a new contract are on hold until the end of the season and the success of those is surely going to play a huge role in whether he remains at the club this summer.

Stewart signed a two-and-a-half-year deal when he joined the North East club from Ross County last January, which keeps him under contract at the Stadium of Light until next summer.

If they’re unable to agree fresh terms with the striker this summer, then you feel they’ll have to consider cashing in on him in the upcoming window as opting to hold onto him under those circumstances risks them seeing him walk away for nothing at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Should the Scot pen a new deal with Sunderland then it’s not an issue the club need to worry about but if an agreement isn’t reached, then it would be no surprise to see him