Stoke and Sunderland to fight it out for Fletcher

Stoke City are set to rival Sunderland in the race to sign £10 million rated Wolves striker Steven Fletcher according to the Daily Express.

The Scotland international looks certain to leave Molineux in the summer and return to the Premier League in the wake of Wanderers relegation to the Championship last season.

Fletcher joined the Midlands side prior to the 2010/11 campaign and went on to score 22 goals in 64 games but is rumoured to be seeking a move back to the top-flight and won’t be short of suitors.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is a keen admirer of the 25-year-old but knows he won’t come cheap as Wolves are keen to recoup the £7m they paid Burnley two-years ago.

With Nickas Bendtner having returned to Arsenal at the end of his loan deal the former Aston Villa and Celtic chief knows he needs to sign a striker before the new season starts in August.

Throughout his managerial career O’Neill has favoured a strong target man to lead his attack and Fletcher more than fits the bill but the Northern Irishman will have to fend off interest from Stoke for his signature.

Tony Pulis is desperate to boost the Potters attack following a disappointing season in which they finished 14th and were the lowest scoring side in the league scoring just 36 goals from 38 games.

It’s thought Pulis will have to sell before he can buy at the Britannia Stadium putting the futures of Kenwyne Jones, Cameron Jerome and Mamady Sidibie under threat.

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