Five Championship clubs are set to battle it out for the signature of Fulham starlet Jay Stansfield, according to the Evening Standard.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at League One side Exeter City, scoring nine goals including a hat-trick on the final day of the campaign against Morecambe. The Grecians were keen to bring the striker back for an additional season this summer and were joined by league rivals Reading in the pursuit.
However, Fulham were reluctant to send the youngster back to the third tier after an impressive pre-season and he was on the bench for last weekend’s season opener against Everton.
It was reported earlier this week that Queens Park Rangers had made their interest known ahead of a season-long loan, with Standard Sport now claiming that Millwall and Sunderland – as well as at least two other unnamed Championship clubs – have joined the race.
Cottagers’ boss Marco Silva has confirmed interest from the Championship and revealed he is in constant contact with Stansfield over his future;
“It is a good sign that all these clubs — and they are good Championship clubs — want Jay.
“He is a fantastic boy and we all love him at this football club. He wants to play football every single weekend. We are going to make a decision for him, but it depends on our market as well and our squad.
“Even if it was in a lower division for eight months (last season at League One Exeter), he has come back stronger and grown as a football player.
“We don’t want to put him at just any club. He needs to go to a club that plays a certain way.
“I am in contact with him every day. I know what he would like to happen but let’s see what is best for the club as well.”
Sunderland are crying out for a new attacker, with star man Ross Stewart still on the sidelines nursing an Achilles tendon problem. The 27-year-old is still subject to transfer speculation of his own, with Scottish giants Rangers said to be keen on his acquisition.
The Black Cats have struggled in front of goal in the early stages of this season and manager Tony Mowbray stated yesterday that it is an issue he is trying to solve, saying;
“We have to work hard and get the fans believing in the team because I know they will stick with us if we fight and work hard. Football supporters aren’t stupid, they can see the missing ingredients in our team.
“We’ve got a few weeks and we will resolve it and I only see positive things moving forward, because in four or five weeks Ross Stewart will be fit and I’ll be sitting here moaning that I’ve got too many strikers and I’m upsetting the balance of the team. Let’s hope that is the case.”
Writer’s View
Jay Stansfield enjoyed an excellent campaign in League One last season and it is only natural that his progression would see him take the step up to the Championship.
There appears to be no shortage of potential suitors and that is a testament to the talent which the 20-year-old possesses. Fulham could yet still keep the striker as an option in case Aleksandar Mitrovic makes his expected departure, but the Premier League outfit will not want to stunt his growth as a player.
Sunderland could prove to be the ideal destination should he be granted a temporary exit from Craven Cottage, especially after the successful loan spells of Amad Diallo and Ellis Simms last season.
