Fletcher would prefer a move to Celtic

Amidst all the rumours and uncertainty about what Steven Fletcher will do next, the only thing certain is that he’s leaving Sunderland.

At 28-year-old, the striker has fallen out of favour under current manager Sam Allardyce and his predecessor Dick Advocaat – and will move on from the Premier League club by the summer.

The latest reports from the Mirror suggest he will reject a massive payout from Chinese clubs Shanghai SIPG and Guangzhou R & F in favour of putting pen to paper for a move to Celtic.

Fletcher’s current contract runs out in the summer and his current £3 million a year wage would be surpassed by the Chinese clubs, but an incentive-based contract with the hope of Champions League football could lure him up north.

As quoted by the Mirror, a source told the Sunday People:

Steven wants to move to Celtic. The offers on the table from China are huge but Celtic believe they can come up with an attractive deal.

Fletcher has been regularly linked with a move back to Scotland since his move from current championship side Hibernian to Burnley back in 2009.

Goals have been a problem for the Scottish international during his time at the Black Cats and has found the net just four times in 18 appearances, including 11 starts.

In his 108 appearances for Sunderland since he signed in 2012, he’s found the net just 23 times.

With Celtic looking to make the Champions League next season and perform against the best teams in Europe, it remains to be seen whether Fletcher can offer what Celtic are currently missing.