Manchester United Transfer News & Rumors: Where is Darren Fletcher Heading Next?

Manchester United has given Darren Fletcher the thumbs up on a free transfer and West Ham United are doing their best to land the Scot.

The Guardian reported that Manchester United told Fletcher that he can leave the club on a free transfer as a reward for his long service in the club. Fletcher joined Manchester United 15 years ago as a trainee and debuted in 2003. He was at Old Trafford since he was 11 years old and became an essential part of the squad of Sir Alex Ferguson. He was appointed by Louis van Gaal as the club's vice-captain and in the past years, has won five Premier League titles, two League Cups, the FA Cup and the Champions League.

Despite previously being named one of Louis van Gaal's vice captains, the Scot only had five starts and seven appearances as a substitute. He was recently replaced by Michael Carrick as vice-captain and did not play during the goalless FA Cup fourth-round tie to Cambridge United on January 23. He made a total of 342 appearances at Old Trafford.

If Allardyce and West Ham United manage to acquire Fletcher, it would be a huge advantage for the club and can significantly help their chances of winning the Champions League for the first time. Manchester is currently in fourth place while West Ham United is in seventh place.

Manchester Evening News wrote that West Ham United has seven days left in the January transfer window to land the 30-year-old midfielder. The free transfer was allowed to help Fletcher find a new club quickly, instead of having to wait until summer.

According to The Telegraph, Fletcher was offered a contract by West Ham United for three and a half years. Although Manchester United was reported to ask for around £1.5 million for Fletcher, the club waived such to let him leave easily. West Ham is expected to make an official announcement to transfer him before January ends.

Other clubs are reportedly also interested in getting Fletcher, namely Celtic, West Bromwich Albion and Valencia. However, it is unlikely that any of these clubs offered him a contract longer than what West Ham United intended. Tony Pulis of West Brom, however, is said to have one last chance to stop West Ham and persuade Darren Fletcher to join his club instead, based on a Daily Star report. Fletcher is set to confirm and announce his decision in a few days.