Tony Mowbray has issued an update on Birmingham City striker Jay Stansfield’s future, following interest from Sunderland.
Sunderland are still looking for a new goalscorer this month and have been linked with a transfer for Jay Stansfield.
The Black Cats were close to signing him on loan from Fulham in the summer, but the 21-year-old instead chose to move to the Midlands with Birmingham City.
While Sunderland’s strikers have struggled, Stansfield has seven goals and two assists in the Championship thus far.
While Stansfield is a regular in the Blues’ first team, he has already been linked with a premature return to Fulham.
Fulham have the option of recalling the forward and potentially loaning him out to a higher-level team, with Sunderland among those interested in signing him.
The Black Cats are joined by Ipswich Town in their chase of Stansfield, with the Tractor Boys looking to strengthen their assault following George Hirst’s injury.
Stansfield started Tony Mowbray’s debut game in charge of Birmingham at the weekend, and the former Sunderland boss has now stated that he has no reason to leave St Andrews in the January transfer window.
Mowbray told Birmingham World: “I’ve been attempting to get contact of Marco Silva for the past few days. I get along well with Marco. I’m very confident he would have informed me if there were any complications or problems.
“I believe the child will eventually like his time here. I had a one-on-one, and I looked him in the eyes. There are other interested parties, but I believe he wants to stay here and score goals. He likes the dressing room and the players. I suppose he’s here only to progress his career.
“If he wants to play in the Premier League, he must first compete in the Championship, and you must exercise caution when the perception of a more successful club emerges near the top of the table. You have to be careful not to go there and only play two of the last 19 games.
“There’s a good chance he’ll play almost every minute for this club. I believe he’s in a good position here. I’m not sure, but there’s a little window for things to happen [Fulham recalls] if necessary.”
What striker will Sunderland sign?
Sunderland desperately needs to speed up their chase of a striker, but there have been very few possibilities that the club has been associated with recently.
I still hope Kieffer Moore is our top goal, but he also appears to be the most difficult to get given the increased demand in his signature.
Jay Stansfield would also be an excellent signing considering his performance in Birmingham thus far, but I don’t think Fulham should recall him when he is clearly happy in the Midlands.
Sam Gallagher appears to be a third possibility and is clearly the weakest. The 28-year-old has only scored in double figures once and is unlikely to propel us to promotion.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if none of these strikers sign with us. For the past year, the club seemed to have done everything possible to avoid signing a goalscorer.
