Arsenal are at loggerheads with Bournemouth over their valuation of Cherries attacker Ryan Fraser, according to journalist James Benge.
Benge – who covers the Gunners for Football.London – reported in a video posted on the source’s Twitter account that Unai Emery’s side are keen on bringing the 25-year-old to the Emirates.
In the same post, the journalist added that the clubs are currently in disagreement over how much Fraser is worth, but said there is the possibility that a deal could happen.
“Ryan Fraser, who I’ve long reported, is a top target of Arsenal’s. I’ve spoken to people very close to Fraser over the past few days,” Benge said.
“There’s not really been any movement on that since the Europa League final. He’s still a player Arsenal really, really would like to sign.
“They’re hoping to get a deal done for about £20million. Bournemouth want nearer £30million, but he’s only got a year left on his contract and he’s been pretty clear with Bournemouth that he won’t sign an extension.”
?? "They're hoping to get a deal done for about £20m."@jamesbenge provides the latest on Arsenal's interest in Ryan Fraser pic.twitter.com/Mq5cgnTs86
— Arsenal FC News (@ArsenalFC_fl) June 4, 2019
Fraser played all 38 Premier League games for Bournemouth last season, scoring eight goals and registering 15 assists in all competitions.
OPINION
Ryan Fraser is definitely a player Arsenal should be looking to sign. He is only 25, and he would add a real dynamism to the Gunners attack. The fact that he started all 38 of the Cherries’ league games tells you how reliable he is as a player. Add to that the fact that he got 14 assists in the Premier League – the second-highest in the competition behind Eden Hazard – and you begin to realise why the clubs are in disagreement over Fraser’s price. Perhaps Arsenal were trying to lowball Bournemouth with their reported £20million approach, and if that is the case, it certainly hasn’t worked – and Eddie Howe’s side will not be tempted by any kind of money. If Benge’s report is true, they want as much profit as they can get from him. And why not? He’s certainly worth that kind of money when you look at his potential.