By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

30th Aug, 2023 | 8:42am

Sources: Southampton ready Ross Stewart bid after Sunderland U-turn

Southampton are back in talks to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart and are expected to bid for him before Friday night’s deadline, sources have told Football Insider.

Sunderland won’t sanction the departure of the 27-year-old until they bring in a replacement.

But the north-east club are increasingly likely to sell Stewart this week as he won’t sign new deal at the Stadium of Light and is in the final year of his contract.

Southampton are back in touch with the player’s camp and are looking to secure a late-window deal.

Stewart has been attracting interest from multiple clubs this summer including Premier League newcomers Luton Town as well as a host of Championship sides.

Last month (31 July), Football Insider revealed that the Saints had cooled their interest in the striker and were set to pursue alternative targets.

The Championship club are in the market for a prolific striker this summer with Che Adams potentially moving on from St Mary’s in the final days of the window.

Yesterday (29 August), Football Insider revealed that Crystal Palace are preparing to battle Everton to sign Adams after losing Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray earlier this summer following the expiration of his contract.

Stewart has been out of action since suffering an Achilles injury in January during Sunderland’s FA Cup match against Fulham.

As quoted by The Northern Echo (25 August), boss Tony Mowbray revealed that the attacker could feature in an in-house friendly game during the international break although it is still too soon to give a definitive return date for the forward.

In other news, Southampton beat Leeds to deal after £72,000-a-week Everton reveal.