Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign Ryan Fraser following his release by AFC Bournemouth, according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie.
The Magpies appear to have won the race to sign Fraser after he decided to walk out on the Cherries last season, rejecting multiple offers to extend his contract at the Vitality Stadium and not featuring upon the restart of the 2019/20 season after snubbing a short-term deal.
Fraser admitted that he had ‘lost focus’ last term amid the uncertainties surrounding his future, but is now in line to get his career back on track at St. James’ Park after agreeing on a contract with Steve Bruce’s side pending official confirmation.
It is expected that Fraser will soon finalise his move having completed his medical at the club’s facilities on Monday, following confirmation of Callum Wilson’s £20million transfer and becoming the Toon’s highest-earner.
The arrival of Wilson is said to have played a key role in Fraser deciding to base his immediate future in the North East, as the 26-year-old was keen to rekindle the partnership he struck with his friend on the south coast.
Fraser had waited until Newcastle could confirm to him that Wilson would be joining before the Scotland international also agreed to the move, handing Bruce one of the most lethal combinations the Premier League has seen over the past few years.
Will Bruce get the best out of Fraser?
Yes
No
During the 2018/19 campaign, Fraser was on fire with 14 assists and seven goals over 38 outings under Eddie Howe, a creative record only former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard could better with the Belgian boasting 15 assists.
The partnership struck between Fraser and Wilson was also the most lethal pairing in the top-flight during the 18/19 season, with the £15.75m-rated winger providing the pass that led to seven of Wilson’s 14 goals – Salomon Rondon’s six assists to Ayoze Perez was the next-best pairing.
Fraser vastly struggled to get going last term with just one goal and four assists, of which one was to Wilson as they combined to strike Bournemouth’s initial equaliser in a 3-1 loss to Leicester City.
If Bruce can inspire Fraser to return to the efforts which saw him linked with moves to Arsenal and Manchester United, while Bournemouth requested £30m, then Newcastle should be in line for a very exciting offence this season.