Leeds still trying to sign Ashley Fletcher

Ashley Fletcher was very much seen as a signing for the future when he turned down a new contract with Manchester United to pen a four-year contract with West Ham back in July.

Expecting to spend the entire season with the U23s, Fletcher has been a regular in Slaven Bilic’s first-team squads this season, making 16 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions and scoring his only goal for the club against his former employers United in November.

With West Ham eyeing at least one new striker this month, Fletcher could find first-team opportunities hard to come by over the second half of the season and perhaps a loan move away from the London Stadium would be best for his development.

Championship side Leeds were interested in signing the 20-year-old on a permanent deal after he left Manchester United but lost out to the Hammers.

However, Garry Monk’s side are still hopeful of signing Fletcher and want to bring him in on loan until the end of the season according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. They note that Leeds’ pursuit of Fletcher is reliant on West Ham’s ability to sign a striker this month.

Garry Monk had this to say on bringing in players to Leeds this month:

“Nothing’s imminent but the club are working very hard on making sure we can get one or two through the door.

“Like I said before, it’s to help the squad. It’s to give them the best chance. I’m very happy with this squad and proud to be working with these players. It’s something I want to do to help them and they understand that.

“January’s never an easy window and it’s not as easy as identifying a player and he then comes through the door but we’re very hopeful that things can be done.

“You never close the door on anything but one thing’s for sure – it has to be the right player. They have to fit into what we’re doing and fit into a group who are doing fantastically well. Those things are being taking into account.”

West Ham’s top striker target is Brentford’s Scott Hogan but having seen three bids rejected already it remains to be seen if the Hammers will go in for a fourth time.