Sunderland are reportedly keen on Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher.
Ashley Fletcher
According to The Mirror, Sunderland are one of the Championship clubs interested in taking Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher on loan this month.
The Black Cats sit bottom of the Championship table after Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Cardiff City, and manager Chris Coleman desperately needs new faces to boost his squad.
Coleman must bring in at least one striker this month, having sold James Vaughan to Wigan Athletic and lost loan star Lewis Grabban back to parent club Bournemouth already during the transfer window.
With money tight at the Stadium of Light, Coleman may be limited to loan deals, and The Mirror report that Sunderland are now keen to take Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher on loan.
Formerly of Manchester United, Fletcher showed promise at West Ham last season, prompting Middlesbrough to spend £6.5million on him last summer, but his move has been a failure so far.
The 22-year-old has started just five games in all competitions for Boro, scoring just twice as he has been forced to accept a substitute role, and he has played only 11 minutes since the end of November.
Ashley Fletcher of Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough may now look to loan Fletcher out this month to get him some playing time, and Sunderland will be hoping for a rare favour from their local rivals as they pursue a striker.
However, with Barnsley and Norwich City also believed to be keen, Sunderland may face a real fight to land Fletcher, and Boro may not be too enthusiastic about sending him into a relegation battle.
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