Sources: Ashley Fletcher agrees to join New York Red Bulls from Watford on four-year deal
Watford striker Ashley Fletcher has agreed a loan move to New York Red Bulls, Football Insider understands.
The MLS club are set to sign the forward on an initial temporary deal.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that an agreement is in place for the loan for Fletcher, 26, to then be converted into a four-year contract.
The striker has made just six appearances for Watford since joining the Hertfordshire club in July 2021.
Fletcher has played just 27 minutes of Premier League football this season.
The former Middlesbrough man has failed to supplant the likes of Emmanuel Dennis and Joao Pedro in the pecking order under three full-time managers.
The 26-year-old’s Vicarage Road contract runs until 2026.
The Keighley-born forward started his senior career at Man United but failed to make a first-team appearance before leaving for West Ham in 2016.
Fletcher netted only once in 20 appearances before joining Boro for a reported £6.5million after just one season with the Hammers.
The forward grabbed 39 goal contributions in 109 games during his five-year spell on Teesside, before departing on a free transfer last summer (2021).
Watford are in grave relegation danger having won just one match under new manager Roy Hodgson.
The Hornets sit 19th and could be cut six points adrift of 17th depending on results today.
The strugglers are looking to avoid a swift return to the Championship.
Watford secured promotion from the second tier just last season.
Fletcher’s new club New York Red Bulls are set to kick off their Major League Soccer campaign tonight.
They face an away trip to the San Jose Earthquakes.
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