Celtic are at risk of losing their 32-goal striker this summer, and West Ham’s Fletcher could be available.
Celtic fans awoke on Monday to the news they had been dreading all summer, that talks have allegedly begun with Marseille regarding the sale of Moussa Dembele (Sky Sports).
Should Dembele leave Glasgow in the coming weeks, Celtic would need to find a way to replace the 21-year-old’s 32 goals from last season.
Celtic’s Moussa Dembele
And West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher could be the man to do it.
What’s his situation?
Despite West Ham’s problems up front, Fletcher made only two league starts in his first season at the London Stadium and, with Javier Hernandez incoming, the 21-year-old’s chances of breaking into Slaven Bilic’s immediate plans are arguably worse than before. According to The Sun, West Ham continue to rate the former Manchester United youngster highly, however, and want to loan him out, with four English Championship sides keen.
Why would he come to Celtic?
With Dembele gone and four competitions to go at, Fletcher could expect to play regularly at Parkhead, while also gaining experience in a competition (the UEFA Champions League) which he’s unlikely to get elsewhere. The Yorkshireman need only look at his would-be predecessor to appreciate the impact a year under Brendan Rodgers’ tutelage can have on a young player’s career.
West Ham United’s Ashley Fletcher
Any downsides?
Unlike Dembele when Rodgers signed him Fulham, Fletcher is yet to appear regularly at any level higher than England’s third tier, and would perhaps require a bedding-in period longer than that of the Frenchman. Also, with little indication that West Ham would allow Fletcher to leave on anything other than a loan deal, Celtic could find themselves in the same boat this time next year. Nevertheless, a short-term move could still benefit all three parties.
Should Celtic move for West Ham’s Fletcher if Dembele leaves?
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