Fulham set out clear summer transfer stance on one-time key Sunderland striking target

Fulham boss Marco Silva has ruled out a summer loan move for striker Jay Stansfield.

Stansfield was one of Sunderland’s primary striking targets last summer and it’s believed a deal was close, with the 21-year-old eventually opting to join Birmingham City. The Black Ctas were prepared to rekindle their interest in the January window but Stansfield stayed at St Andrews and though the campaign ended in relegation to League One, Stansfield’s stock rose considerably. He was named the club’s player of the season, scoring 13 goals across all competitions.

Stansfield would have been in huge demand across the second tier this summer but it appears that he will now be given the chance to make an impression at Premier League level.

“He’s going to be back with us,” Silva said at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

“Everything we planned, apart from the collective goal of Birmingham which was not what we wanted, was a box [ticked]. He played the season before in League One [with Exeter City], and to be able to give a step forward in the Championship and be an important piece in the attack-line and score important goals [was pleasing]. Jay achieved all the important things.

“Now is the moment for him to come back and be one of the players in our attacking line for next season.”

Sunderland eventually made a loan move for Mason Burstow on deadline day, and will be in the market for more reinforcements in the final third this summer as the youngster returns to Chelsea.