Sheffield United are interested in signing Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher on loan before the transfer deadline for such deals ends on August 31.

The Blades are known to be in the market for another forward, despite having various options up front already. And out-of-favour striker Fletcher is said to be Wilder’s No.1 target.

Fletcher signed for Middlesbrough from West Ham in 2017, where he scored just one goal before being loaned to Sunderland. He is a product of the Manchester United academy, but never made an appearance for the Red Devils.

It was reported that United wanted to sign Aston Villa’s Scott Hogan on loan, a deal that is unlikely to go through with the Midlands side yet to find a replacement – and the Fletcher deal could go in a similar way if Boro don’t succeed in replacing him.

“We are just waiting on other clubs to do business, to free players up,” said Wilder on transfer business before last weekend’s victory at Bolton.

“I am quite amazed by the power and strength of clubs who we are competing with. I think sometimes that gets forgotten by everyone around this football club, what we are up against and competing with.

“Would we like to be in a situation where we call the shots? We would love to be that powerful club that has all the resources that goes with trying to get a team out of this division. But we are not.”
[Quotes via the Star]