Sunderland striker Ross Stewart is reportedly a target for Rangers this summer.
Stewart was magnificent for the Black Cats last season, scoring a whopping 26 goals in League One. He also bagged two goals in the play-offs against Sheffield Wednesday at the Stadium of Light and against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.
His goals played a pivotal part in helping Alex Neil's side jump back to the Championship for the first time since 2018. However, his impressive form has seen him linked with a move to Rangers this summer, with the new capped Scotland forward said to be the Gers transfer priority.
Colombian forward Alfredo Morelos is out of contract next summer at Ibrox. Contract talks have stalled lately meaning Rangers may sell Morelos this summer to avoid losing him on a free, thus opening the door for Stewart.
A move to Scotland for Stewart would be a huge blow to Sunderland. But in the event the 25-year-old does leave the Stadium of Light, who could the Black Cats turn to?
Jonson Clarke-Harris
While his Peterborough United side were relegated from the Championship last season, Jonson Clarke-Harris was one of the Posh's standout performers.
The 27-year-old bagged 12 goals in the Championship for a Peterborough side that finished 22nd. Given that a season prior he scored a whopping 31 goals in 45 appearances in League One, it is unlikely Peterborough will want to lose Clarke-Harris this summer. Sunderland were linked with the Posh striker in January too.
However, a move to Rangers for Stewart could open up funds for Sunderland to sign a striker. While 12 goals in 44 appearances isn't ground breaking, it is a steady return for a Championship striker, especially one that was part of a relegated side. Staying up is and should be the priority for Neil and co next season. Clarke-Harris could certainly help Sunderland achieve this.
Cole Stockton
Sunderland are going to have to box clever this summer. They likely won't have the funds to go after forwards like Dwight Gayle on loan or Andre Gray who is a free agent. So one way they could look to go about their business is by signing up the best of League One. Cole Stockton would suit this philosophy perfectly.
The Morecambe striker was one of League One's most prolific strikers last season, netting 23 goals in 44 games. He finished joint third in the golden boot race behind Stewart and Wigan's Will Keane who nabbed the top spot. The 28-year-old's contract is set to expire next summer, meaning Morecambe, who finished 19th in League One, might want to cash in on the forward this year.
Nathan Broadhead
Nathan Broadhead is obviously a name Sunderland fans are more than familiar with. He spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, scoring 10 goals in 20 games on loan from Everton.
The Black Cats are already in talks to extend his loan at the Stadium of Light to next season, which would help shore up Sunderland's attack in the event Stewart does leave. A hamstring injury around the turn of the year really hurt his output numbers last season. Had it not been for the December injury, Broadhead could have been amongst the top scorers in League One.
