Tony Mowbray update, Blackburn and QPR interest
All the latest transfer headlines surrounding the future of Sunderland defender Danny Batth
Two defeats from their two opening league games has them sitting in the bottom tier of the league table already.
Tony Mowbray’s side have been struggling with injury issues and an inability to complete their transfer business in time for the new term.
The club is still searching for a new forward, with an extra midfielder also being sought by the Wearside outfit.
The futures of some of their own players are also up in the air as the September 1 deadline looms.
What is the latest news surrounding Danny Batth’s Sunderland future?
One player that could yet depart the Stadium of Light is Danny Batth, with the experienced defender being linked with a move away from the club.
The 32-year-old made 40 appearances in the league last season, playing a crucial role in helping Mowbray’s side reach a sixth place finish in their first year back in the Championship.
But his departure from Sunderland could take place before the end of the month.
Here we look at the latest news surrounding the future of Batth…
Mowbray’s comments on Danny Batth
Batth’s situation is complicated by the fact that the defender’s contract is set to expire in a year’s time, meaning he could be a free agent in 2024.
With no renewal looking likely at this time, this could be Sunderland’s chance to cash-in on the centre back and earn some money that can be reinvested back into the squad.
The Sunderland boss admitted that his only concern is what is happening out on the pitch, claiming that Batth will have to be a part of the squad if he remains at the club beyond the transfer deadline.
“I’m only really interested in what happens on the grass,” said Mowbray, via the Sunderland Echo.
“When we’re playing Luton away, I would prefer Danny Batth right in the middle there, heading the ball out of the box.
“But if you get to an impasse where there isn’t a new contract offer that’s suitable, and we’re seeing what else out there.
“As I’ve said, if there’s no sale when the window shuts then they’re here and part of it.”
Jon Dahl Tomasson seeks Batth
Blackburn Rovers are the club most closely linked with a move for the defender.
According to Alan Nixon, Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson is keen to sign the player following the departure of Daniel Ayala during the summer.
However, the Dane has been met with some resistance from the Rovers board so it remains unclear whether the Lancashire club will be able to complete a move for Batth.
No agreement has yet been reached between the two clubs, meaning this deal could drag on for the next couple of weeks until the window shuts.
QPR interest in Batth
However, interest from QPR has also been reported.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side are currently suffering from an injury crisis in defence and could use an extra body at the back to help alleviate the issue.
According to Alan Nixon, the 32-year-old could be an option for the London side as they look to bolster their options ahead of the 1 September deadline.
QPR make Fulham approach for striker
QPR are one of a number Championship clubs keen to take Fulham striker Jay Stansfield on loan
Queens Park Rangers are hoping to build on their first win of the new Championship season by adding more firepower to their attack.
20-year-old Irish striker Sinclair Armstrong bagged his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Cardiff City, but Gareth Ainsworth is still looking for more options upfront in what remains of the summer transfer window.
The Evening Standard have reported that QPR are keen to bring Fulham striker Jay Stansfield to the club on a season-long loan deal, and have asked their west London rivals about his availability.
Why do QPR want Jay Stansfield?
Stansfield is an England under-20 international and showcased his quality during a loan spell with hometown club Exeter City in League One last season.
The 20-year-old scored nine goals and collected eight assists across all competitions at St.James Park, helping the Grecians record a comfortable mid-table finish in the process.
The move was an emotional one for Stansfield, as Exeter were the club his father Adam was playing for when he tragically died in 2010.
Stansfield wore his late father’s number nine shirt during his time in Devon after it had previously been retired following his death.
He has made nine appearances for the Fulham first team, with the most recent coming as a late substitute in a 2-1 Premier League defeat to Arsenal in August 2022.
Exeter were keen to extend Stansfield’s loan for another season, but FLW exclusively revealed last month that Fulham want the striker to continue his career development in the Championship.
The Evening Standard report suggests that there are three other second-tier clubs who are also interested in acquiring Stansfield’s services for the year.
What forward options do QPR currently have?
Following Chris Martin’s departure in the summer, the only out-and-out strikers in Ainsworth’s squad are youngster Armstrong and Scottish international Lyndon Dykes.
Both started in the win at Cardiff, but it is clear that the QPR boss would be left short of options if one of them were to suffer an injury.
Charlie Kelman is also on the books at Loftus Road, although he was left out of the matchday squad for the victory in south Wales.
With QPR scoring just 44 goals last term as they narrowly avoided relegation to League One, it is clear that Ainsworth has decided to bolster his attack in the coming weeks.
What other transfer business have QPR done?
QPR have largely been restricted to bringing in free transfers due to Financial Fair Play concerns.
Paul Smyth, Asmir Begovic, Ziyad Larkeche, Morgan Fox, Jack Colback and Steve Cook have all joined the ranks at Loftus Road.
After starting the Championship season with a harrowing 4-0 defeat at Watford, debuts for Smyth and Cook helped to inspire a change in fortunes at Cardiff and provide some much needed optimism for the rest of the season.
With a forward addition yet to be added to the mix, it could well be that the loan signing of Stansfield could act as the final piece of the puzzle as QPR look to stave off relegation once more.
