Greek club eye move for Steven Fletcher after Sunderland release

AEK Athens are eager to sign Steven Fletcher after the striker's release by Sunderland.
Steven FletcherSteven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher

Fletcher's time at Sunderland will formally come to an end this week when his contract expires at the Stadium of Light, yet unlike fellow departing Black Cats frontman Danny Graham, the Scotland international is yet to find a new club.

Long-term suitors Celtic are thought to be interested in signing Fletcher on a Bosman deal, while he has also been linked with Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Hull - the latter of which saw a bid rejected by Sunderland 18 months ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But sources in Greece have indicated that AEK - the club where ex-Sunderland boss Gus Poyet was in charge last season - are also in talks with Fletcher.

The difficulty for AEK will be whether they can agree personal terms with the 28-year-old, who was on a big money contract at Sunderland after his £12million move from Wolves.

Yet Fletcher is thought to be ready to accept a lower wage and is open-minded about his next move after spending the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.

However, Celtic will remain favourites to land Fletcher after the SPL champions have held a long-term interest in the ex-Hibernian man, although he insisted earlier this month that he hadn't spoken with them.

"I haven’t had any contact with Celtic," said Fletcher.

"I know everyone likes to think I have, but even in recent times when I have been linked with them there has never been any solid connection with me and them."