Ryan Fraser could leave Newcastle United and return to Southampton before tonight’s transfer deadline.
The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at the Saints, making 44 appearances and scoring eight times as the South Coast outfit achieved promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Fraser has made no secret of his desire to return to St Mary’s having already agreed personal terms. However, his Newcastle salary on a contract with 12 months left to run has been stumbling block.
Ryan FraserRyan Fraser
Ryan Fraser | Getty Images
But according to Sky Sports News, Fraser and United have “agreed a deal in principle” that would allow him to leave and re-join Russell Martin’s side. “Southampton are getting closer to agreeing a deal with winger RYAN FRASER after he agreed a deal in principle to leave Newcastle,” Mark McAdams reports. “There are still some final details for Fraser to iron out with NUFC but he could become Southampton’s second Deadline Day signing.
It comes after Southampton boss Martin said earlier this month it was “increasingly unlikely” Fraser would return.
“I am not sure that will happen,” Martin said. “That’s down to Newcastle. He did brilliantly for us last season, and I love him as a person and a player. He was really popular with the dressing room, fans and staff, but we are nowhere near a deal for Ryan. The longer it goes on, it looks increasingly unlikely.”
Fraser signed a bumper five-year contract when he joined United on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth in 2020.
He went on to make 59 appearances before falling out with head coach Eddie Howe midway through the 2022-23 campaign. The former Scotland international was banished to the under-21s and has trained away from the first-team squad this summer.
