According to recent reports, Crystal Palace are ‘closing in’ on the signing of former Bournemouth winger, Ryan Fraser.
The reports by The Mirror (via HITC) claim that the Eagles are edging closer to the signing of the 26-year-old Scotsman, who became a free agent earlier this summer after turning down a short-term contract extension which would have allowed him to complete the 2019/20 Premier League season with his former club, AFC Bournemouth.
A number of clubs have been linked with the winger, including Fulham and Newcastle United, however, it would appear from the latest reports that Roy Hodgson’s side seem to be leading the race for Fraser, and are said to have offered the player a three-year contract.
The Scotsman had a somewhat uninspiring season last time out, featuring 28 times in the Premier League, managing just one goal and providing four assists, averaging a disappointing WhoScored match rating of 6.57 – ranking him as Bournemouth’s 10th-best performer in the league.
However, earlier in the season, Fraser admitted that he ‘didn’t play for the team’ in the first half of their campaign due to interest in him last summer that ‘obviously affected’ his performances.
From this, if we can assume that in the 2018/19 season the £15.75 million-rated Fraser was indeed fully committed to the cause, it is evident how effective a player he can be when his head is right.
That season, the winger scored seven goals and provided a remarkable 14 assists, the latter of which was a number only bettered in the league by then Chelsea star Eden Hazard, as well as averaging a highly impressive WhoScored match rating of 7.08.
Would you be happy to see Fraser join Palace on a free this summer?
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TIF Thoughts…
So, if the south London side do go on to secure the signing of the 26-year-old this summer, they will most likely be hoping that the Fraser of 2018/19 will be pulling on the blue and red of Palace next season.