The New York Red Bulls are close to signing striker Ashley Fletcher on loan from Watford, 90min can confirm.

Fletcher only arrived at Vicarage Road in June but has played just six games for the Hornets since then, scoring twice and providing one assist – each of his goal involvements have come in EFL Cup and FA Cup play.

The 26-year-old has been restricted to just three appearances from the bench in this season’s Premier League with reports emerging that Fletcher was seeking a move away to get more game time.

90min can confirm the Red Bulls have made a bid to loan Fletcher for the 2022 MLS season, which begins on Saturday.

Sources have also confirmed Fletcher is keen on the idea of a move Stateside, while Watford boss Roy Hodgson has given the green light for a deal to go ahead – the likes of Emmanuel Dennis and Josh King are ahead of Fletcher in his striking pecking order.

The Red Bulls have already made some important improvements to their roster ahead of the new season. Brazilian playmaker Luquinhas and Scottish winger Lewis Morgan have added significant firepower to Gerhard Struber’s attack, while Tom Edwards has returned on loan from Stoke City to bolster the defense.

But there are worries that Polish striker Patryk Klimala isn’t clinical enough to lead RBNY to success. Fletcher’s ability to stretch opposing defenses and hold up the ball could be important to Struber’s style of play, while there is a feeling the striker’s ability in front of goal hasn’t been fully utilized to this point.

The Red Bulls open their 2022 campaign away to the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.