London

Fletcher

“Hopefully, we’ll get something done,” he said. “But if I make it to March 13 (unsigned), who knows?” Fletcher indicated some frustration with the team’s 2011 record of 5-11. “I’d love to go back to Washington, but obviously it’s a business,” Fletcher added. “It’ll take some time to get done but we both want to get a deal done.” Fletcher turns 37 in May.

“I’m not going to hide behind the fact that we love London,” GM Bruce Allen recently said. “We hope he’s a Redskin.” We’ve yet to see reports of other teams interested in bringing in the 37-year-old stalwart.

According to NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora, there is a “real push being made” by both sides to finalize the deal in time for Fletcher to participate in offseason workouts on Monday. Expect a deal to be announced for the 36-year-old team leader this weekend.

The Post’s report cites a “person with knowledge of negotiations.” At the very latest, expect a deal to be consummated this weekend. The NFL Network reported Friday morning that the Skins were pushing hard to get Fletcher signed.

He’s the last of the marquee free agent inside linebackers to sign. Fletcher turns 37 in May, but remains one of the league’s top run defenders and can still hold his own in pass coverage. Fletcher’s 166 tackles led the NFL in 2011, and he’s also forced six fumbles over the past two seasons. He added two interceptions and will return as one of the better re-draft IDP targets going.

The Redskins have expressed interest in bringing back Fletcher, but won’t have the option of backloading his contract. If he returns with Washington, it will be at a reduced salary.

Coach Mike Shanahan confirmed late last month the sides had resumed talking, but the Redskins’ salary-cap woes have complicated the situation. With Washington since 2007, the soon-to-be 37-year-old Fletcher hasn’t made any visits in free agency.

Added GM Bruce Allen, “We’re going to try very hard to get him back in the burgundy and gold. And he has told us that he wants to come back. It’s just going to take maybe a little longer than we wanted to work it out.”

Technically a five-year contract to spread out the cap hit, Fletcher’s deal will void after two seasons, and is essentially a one-year pact. The Redskins’ leading tackler each of the past five seasons, Fletcher will turn 37 in May.

It sounds like the Skins may try to do an extension by February. Fletcher turns 37 before next season, but he’s a team leader and still one of the most productive linebackers in the game. He led the NFL in tackles in 2011.