Sunderland Striker Heading For The Exit

Steven Fletcher looks set to leave Sunderland this summer, though reports claiming Swansea have made a bid for the striker appear to be wide of the mark, according to The Chronicle. The Scottish centre-forward was linked with a £4 million move to the Welsh side over the weekend, but while those reports appear to be premature, the Black Cats are ready to cash in on the striker who has 12 months left on his contract. Boss Dick Advocaat and Director of Football Lee Congerton have made the search for a striker a priority along with a creative midfielder, though with four on the books potentially vying for just one slot in the lineup, Fletcher or the resurgent Danny Graham are the favourites to be cut loose. Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe are secure in the squad, and Graham's 'man on a mission' performances towards the end of last season appear to have bought him some time with his hard-work and effort noted by Advocaat. However, Fletcher has been a disappointment in recent times for both club and country, finding the net in just four games out of 41 for both Sunderland and Scotland in 2014/15. The 28-year-old has bagged 19 goals in 78 appearances in red and white, scoring his first five for the club with his opening five shots on target, but his recent form means his time on Wearside is drawing to a close. It is understood that Swansea will only table a bid for Fletcher if Bafetimbi Gomis leaves the Liberty Stadium this summer, an unlikely circumstance, though Celtic may offer the Scot a route back to his homeland before the end of the transfer window if he lowers his wage demands.