Sunderland AFC news: Joey Barton helping Steven Fletcher at Marseille, Jordi Gomez almost joined Wigan

Steven Fletcher has been speaking about his loan move to Marseille in the French media and has revealed that ex-Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has offered him a helping hand.

Barton spent the 2012-13 campaign on loan at Marseille and has contacted Fletcher about settling into life in France.

Fletcher said: "Joey Barton sent me his telephone number, saying 'If you need anything, call me'."

Like Fletcher, Sunderland midfielder Jordi Gomez left the Stadium of Light on loan on deadline day after joining Blackburn until the end of the season.

But Gary Caldwell - boss of Gomez's former club Wigan - has revealed that the League One outfit were also in the running for the Spaniard, who had fallen out of the first-team picture at Sunderland.

Financial factors eventually scuppered Gomez's possible return to the Latics, although a move could be resurrected if they return to the Championship this season.

"Jordi's agent did give us a call, and it was there," said Caldwell.

"But I felt we were fine in that area, and financially it was a difficult one to do."

Sunderland were unable to make any last-minute additions to their squad on deadline day after five fresh faces arrived at the Stadium of Light during the window.

But Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that the Black Cats were close to making another signing.

"We were close in the last couple of days, but couldn't pull it off for a number of reasons."

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