MK Dons chances of landing veteran striker Steven Fletcher have been revealed, with League Two rivals Bristol Rovers also said to be keen.
The 38-year-old opted to swap the Scottish Premiership for League Two in 2023 when he joined Wrexham. He played a key role in their promotion that season and remained with the club ahead of their first season in England’s third tier in 19 years.
Although he featured predominantly from the substitutes bench, the former Sunderland and Stoke City attacker still made 40 league appearances, scoring eight times as the Red Dragons earned a third successive promotion to the Championship. Despite his antics, he found himself released at the end of the campaign. Speaking upon his departure, the ex-Scotland international said:
“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to come here and fall back in love with the game!
“To have had the experiences and the opportunities that this club has given me has been just incredible. And this group of lads are the best that I have ever shared a changing room with.
“It’s not just a team or a changing room. This group of boys , fans and staff have been my family for the past two years.
“You welcomed me with open arms and open hearts and made me feel like I had a purpose again.”
MK Dons Keen But Deal Unlikely
MK Dons have set their sights on emulating Wrexham’s success and look to be building a squad capable of blowing the rest of League Two out of the water. Under the stewardship of Paul Warne, they have already landed high profile signings such as Aaron Collins and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and are now said to be keen on adding Fletcher to their squad.
According to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, via EFL Analysis, the Buckinghamshire-based side are a possibility, although Bristol Rovers are also attempting an ambitious swoop. However, a return to Scotland looks more likely at this juncture:
“I think there’s a few clubs keen. I’m sure he could stay in England, but he’s more likely to end up back in Scotland, in the top flight. That’s what I’m hearing.
“In England, I’ve heard MK Dons are a possibility, and so are Bristol Rovers. But I think he’s weighing up his options. There are options in England if he wants to stay.”
Writer’s View
Fletcher is still a player who can find the back of the net and would be an excellent addition to Paul Warne’s squad. It’s not a transfer which would have looked likely a few months ago, but MK Dons are now showing their ambition and have set their sights firmly on the League Two title next season. That said, the veteran may want to end his career north of the border and should he do, he will have no shortage of offers.
