Transfer Latest: Have Sunderland opened talks to sign Ross County striker?

Will Grigg looks set to head out of the exit door at the Stadium of Light, as the Northern Ireland striker moves closer to a move to Shrewsbury Town and reports suggest that Sunderland have made an immediate move to sign a replacement.

The Scottish Sun claim Sunderland have opened talks with Ross County over Ross Stewart in an attempt to bring him to the club this month.

Stewart is out of contract at the end of the season and County boss John Hughes recently admitted that it would take an offer of around £500,000 to tempt his club to part with the forward during the January transfer window:

It is evident Ross won’t be here next year but I have a real feeling coming from him that he wants to be part of keeping this club in the Premiership.

I think it would be his way of thanking the club for everything they have done for him over the last few years. He is very grateful for the stage the club has given him.

He seems quite happy to be here the rest of the season, as would we be but if a club comes in with a bid of £500,000 then we have a decision to make.

I have had no complaints about Ross as he leads from the front. He said to me what will be, will be.

I haven’t seen much of him as in my first game he came off with a hamstring injury. In the last few weeks in training he has shown how good a player he is.

People see him and think he is just a big target man but he is a great footballer. He can look after the ball, his touch is very good and he has an eye for goal.

Stewart has scored 28 goals and provided 8 assists in his 82 games in all competitions for the Scottish Premiership outfit, with the striker scoring six of those this season, as his club lie 11th in the table.

Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images