Striker could make Premier League return after leaving Sunderland

Steven Fletcher is open to joining another Premier League club when his Sunderland career formally comes to an end this summer.
Steven FletcherSteven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher

Fletcher effectively brought the curtain down on his three-and-a-half year stint at the Stadium of Light in the January transfer window when he joined Marseille on loan until the end of the season, to coincide with the end of his Sunderland contract.

The Scotland international is open to the idea of remaining at Marseille after netting twice in seven appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, yet he could also return to the Premier League and join another English club on a Bosman deal.

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"I just want to play as much as I can and catch people's eyes," said Fletcher.

"I'm free in the summer. If this (Marseille) was an option, I'd consider it.

"Of course, I'm not writing the Premier League off. I'm still 28, it's not like I'm ready to retire.

"If I can put in a good few performances, hopefully I'll have a few options."

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Fletcher's switch to France was one of the most surprising moves of the January window after Marseille made a deadline approach for the 28-year-old, who failed to make a Premier League appearance in 2016 for Sunderland.

But after Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce told Fletcher that he would be limited to a fringe role with the Black Cats until the end of the season, the £12million frontman made the move across the Channel.

"I was shocked to be honest when the manager at Sunderland came up to me and mentioned it," added Fletcher to Sky Sports.

"I think he was kind of shocked at the same time.

"But when I sat down and spoke about it with my wife and my agent, I thought why not?

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"The manager said to me that I was not going to have too much playing time before the end of the season, and that kind of answered the question to me about whether my time there was up.

"This was a chance to play some games with a great team.

"Since I've been here, I've enjoyed every minute."