Steven Fletcher may snub Celtic to stay at Marseille

Steven Fletcher is eager to impress sufficiently at Marseille to earn a permanent contract with the French club.
Steven FletcherSteven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher

Fletcher joined Marseille on a loan deal until the end of the season last week, which essentially signals the end of his Sunderland career, with his contract at the Stadium of Light expiring next summer.

The 28-year-old had been expected to join Celtic on a Bosman deal next summer, and that is likely to remain an avenue open to the Scottish international.

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But Fletcher, who cost Sunderland £12million, wants to remain at Marseille if he can, with the frontman facing four months to catch the eye in Ligue 1 and land a contract with the French giants.

“I’m in a situation where my contract ends at Sunderland,” said Fletcher.

“This is an opportunity to show what I can do to leave a good impression in Marseille.

“And if I have a contract at the end, that would be great, but we need to see what I can do.

“I think I can adapt quickly.”

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Fletcher made his Marseille debut as a substitute in last weekend’s defeat to PSG, and will hope to make his first start against Trelissac in the quarter-finals of the French Cup tomorrow.

The ex-Wolves frontman could be paired with much-coveted Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, who Sunderland had watched prior to the Belgian international penning a new contract at the start of January.

“I’m here to help Michy, who is a great talent,” added Fletcher.

“I think we can play together and develop a natural fit. “