Wolves soften stance on Sunderland target Steven Fletcher

Wolves hitman Steven Fletcher handed in a transfer request and did not feature in the defeat at Leeds, amid rumours he will soon be joining Sunderland in a £15million deal (Getty Images)

Steven Fletcher is edging closer to completing his protracted £12m transfer to Sunderland after Wolverhampton Wanderers relented in their desire to land the full £15m price tag they had previously placed on the Scotland forward.

Fletcher has been left in limbo as the two clubs have haggled over a fee for the 25-year-old.

After Fletcher handed in a transfer request, Wolves were determined to make a large profit for a player they paid Burnley £7m to land in 2010, and turned down Sunderland's initial offer of £10m.

When Sunderland improved their offer and were again rebuffed, they signed striker Louis Saha for free on a one-year contract. But Fletcher has remained manager Martin O'Neill's first choice and, with Wolves softening in their stance, a deal could done before the weekend.