Ashley Fletcher has struggled in the Championship for Sunderland since joining from Middlesbrough but starred in League One for Barnsley.
Ashley Fletcher was up against it at Sunderland right from the off.
The Black Cats desperately needed to replace their 12-goal talisman Lewis Grabban in January, when Bournemouth recalled him early from a season-long loan spell at the Stadium of Light.
But with the debt-ridden Sunderland unable to afford any permanent deals, they were forced to rely on Fletcher, a 22-year-old striker who had scored just one goal in 16 league games since joining rivals Middlesbrough last summer for £6.5 million.
And despite a well-taken goal in the stunning, out-of-character 4-1 win at Derby County on Friday, that is proving to be an anomaly. Fletcher has not scored in his nine other games for the relegation threatened Sunderland and seems powerless to prevent their slide into League One.
On the face of it, there is little justification for Sunderland attempting to keep hold of Fletcher on another temporary deal next season, particularly as the former Manchester United youngster has frequently been lambasted by supporters for ineffective displays.
But Fletcher has history in the third tier. He spent just four months at Barnsley during the second half of the 2015/16 season but had a huge impact at Oakwell.
He netted five goals to fire Barnsley into the top six and then scored the opener in the play-off final win against Motherwell that fired Paul Heckingbottom’s side into the Championship.
According to the Sun, Sunderland are targeting young, promising players this summer who know League One. Fletcher ticks a few boxes and should be kept around – if Middlesbrough are willing.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
