If you happened to miss all the transfer updates and revelations that unfolded last night, here is a roundup of the developments we know of so far, regarding players moving away from the Stadium of Light. And if you avoided SAFC news yesterday, you'll be in for quite a shock...
STEWART TO SAINTS
After a summer of rumours, stagnant contract negotiations and injury rehab, it looks like Ross Stewart is headed for Southampton. It has been reported that Sunderland will receive £8 million up front, with up to £4 million in add-ons (as well as a sell-on clause). Listen - we all know that when he's fit and firing, the Loch Ness Drogba is worth more than that. But for a player who ultimately has played 13 Championship games, suffered back-to-back serious injuries and has one year left on his contract, it's probably a fair fee. The main issue is that now we have less than 24 hours to find a suitable replacement up front - despite a glaringly obvious striker issue that has arguably gone unresolved since January. Presumably we couldn't compete with Southampton's wages for Stewart, with the Saints bringing in over £100 million through player sales this summer, as well as Premier League parachute payments. Not to mention that Stewart has top-flight ambitions and sadly, it looks like a move to the south coast is where he's more likely to achieve those dreams at this point.
GOOCH TO STOKE
After the Ross Stewart news broke, it has also become apparent that Lynden Gooch is set to join up with former manager Alex Neil at Stoke City. Sunderland will reportedly receive a fee of £1 million for their longest-serving player. The 27-year-old had reportedly been told at the start of the window that he was free to leave if an offer came in - and Trai Hume's contract extension was an indicator of who Sunderland see playing at right-back in the future. Lynden will always be loved by Sunderland fans - he's been through the most turbulent times in the club's history and is one of the few players of the modern era who can genuinely say they 'love' the team they play for. With the transfer window closing at 11pm tonight, you would hope that fullback depth is added onto Speakman's wishlist - although there are obviously priorities higher up on that list.
ROBERTS TO SAINTS?
After they raided us for our best striker, Southampton have reportedly submitted a bid of £3 million (rising to £5 million) for Patrick Roberts. The winger is said to be 'keen' on a move to St Mary's, largely due to wages and the fact he's entering the last year of his contact like Stewart. However, it has not been said if the Black Cats have accepted the bid - surely they'd need a top quality replacement lines up before sanctioning any such deal. If Sunderland lose Amad, Roberts and Isaac Lihadji in the same transfer window, it will leave us with a concerning lack of depth on the flanks. Perhaps they could target a versatile forward who can fill in as a number nine or out wide.
CLARKE UNHAPPY?
This is more of a rumour than concrete news, but it has been reported by Pete O'Rourke that Jack Clarke is unhappy that the club blocked his move to Burnley earlier this summer but are now letting other players move on. Clarke was supposedly told he could leave if a bid of £10 million came in for him, but the club then turned down more than £10m from the Clarets.
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