“£42k-a-week” – Pundit opens up on potential Southampton transfer involving Newcastle
Newcastle are willing to offload Ryan Fraser this summer following a positive loan stint at Southampton
It has been reported that Newcastle United are keen to offload Ryan Fraser on a permanent basis this summer.
According to Chronicle Live, the Magpies are looking to save money from their wage bill at the end of the campaign and see the sale of Fraser as key to that.
The winger is currently on loan with Southampton, where he is keen to extend his stay beyond this term.
| Southampton’s top 5 Championship goals + assists (per Fbref.com, as of March 12th) | ||||
| Player name | Goals | Assists | Total | |
| 1 | Adam Armstrong | 18 | 11 | 29 |
| 2 | Che Adams | 10 | 3 | 13 |
| 3 | Stuart Armstrong | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | Samuel Edozie | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| 5 | Ryan Fraser | 6 | 2 | 8 |
The Scot has featured 30 times in the Championship this year, contributing six goals and two assists (all stats from Fbref).
Fraser still has one year remaining on his current Newcastle contract, so a deal will still need to be negotiated between the two clubs, as the Saints do not hold an option to buy clause as part of the loan.
Carlton Palmer gives Ryan Fraser Southampton transfer verdict
Carlton Palmer believes that a permanent deal for Fraser this summer could depend on the club’s league status given the forward’s likely wage demands.
He has claimed that a pay-off deal may be needed from Newcastle to secure this deal, even if promotion is secured.
“Ryan Fraser has insisted he wants a move to Southampton, he went on loan from Newcastle to Southampton in the summer,” Palmer told Football League World.
“I suppose a move would depend on which league Southampton find themselves in next season.
“His reported £42k-a-week wage would be too high in the Championship again next season.
“But Newcastle have made it clear he can go, and he wants to move on.
“He hasn’t been a regular in the side this season, but he’s had an impact on the football club as a whole, as they’ve looked to bounce back from their relegation from the Premier League.
“I suppose, at the end of the day, it will boil down to where Southampton finish, they’re going to be in the play-offs worst way off, and then it’s going to be a titanic tussle.
“It’s going to be one of Leicester, Leeds or Ipswich who are going to [join them] in that play-off.
“It’s going to be a tough assignment given I think Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich have been the best sides in the Championship this season.
“You would think if the form continues going into that play-offs, Leeds United five wins, one draw, Ipswich five wins, one defeat, both going great guns at the moment.
“A lot will depend on where Southampton are, and unless a deal can be brokered where he gets a pay-off from Newcastle, even if Southampton are promoted to the Premier League, and then the deal could be sorted between the club and the player for him to come on a permanent basis.”
Southampton league position
Fraser has had a positive impact on the team’s promotion hunt this season, but Russell Martin’s side has fallen behind their rivals in recent weeks.
The Saints hold a game in hand, which could bring them within three points of the top two.
But they will need to remain very consistent between now and the end of the campaign to make up that gap to Leeds in second given the Whites’ current form.
Next up for Southampton is a home game against Middlesbrough on 29 March.
Fraser deal would be sensible for Southampton
Fraser’s future at Newcastle is all but over, so a move to Southampton would be a logical next step for the player.
He has fit in well with Martin’s style of play, and has proven he can still have an impact at this level with his performances this season.
If Southampton fail to gain promotion then they should still look to keep Fraser in the squad if they can, as his experience has been a useful asset to this relatively young squad.
While his wages will be a concern, Newcastle surely won’t be demanding too much in terms of a transfer fee given their strong desire to offload him, which should help get a deal over the line.
