Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has been discussing the next move of former Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser, who has been linked with Crystal Palace and Watford.
According to a report by the Express in June, both the Eagles and the Hornets were tracking the Scotsman to sign him on a free transfer.
Then, a report from The Telegraph last week also linked Roy Hodgson’s side with the 26-year-old attacker and stated that he could be a target regardless of whether or not Wilfried Zaha leaves the club.
So, in the latest episode of The Price of Football podcast, Maguire discussed the financial aspect of Fraser’s next move after his departure from the Cherries.
He said: “It’s an interesting one, this one. I got in contact with one of our agent friends and they said he’s likely to benefit from [being a free agent] because he has been a Premier League regular. He said he’s only 26 [and] the average wages at Bournemouth are 53k a week in the Premier League.
“Now, if he goes to a club such as Arsenal, then he’s set for a big payday, because they pay good wages. If he goes to Palace, Palace’s wages are broadly similar to those of Bournemouth. So, he could get a decent deal.
“What Palace would be doing, or any other [recruiting] club, they will be looking at the total cost to them. He’s likely to be offered a four-year contract if he’s 26. So, they look at the total cost and the total cost is transfer fee plus wages over four years.
“Now, you take the transfer fee out of the equation, that automatically means that the wages potentially on offer are going to be higher. I think if he was more of a fringe player, he’d probably have to accept whatever the bidding club offered.
“But he’s got the advantage that there’s likely to be more than one club interested in his services. So, therefore, I think he probably tips the balance in terms of negotiations and could benefit from this financially.”
TIF Thoughts…
Seemingly, Maguire believes that Fraser’s decision to reject a short-term extension with the Cherries and become a free agent when his contract expired in June (via Daily Mail) may have been a good decision by the player.
Would you be pleased if Crystal Palace signed Ryan Fraser on a free transfer?
No, he's not good enough
Yes, he's a solid player
It will be interesting now to see if a move to Palace or elsewhere does materialise this summer and if it is one that comes sooner or later.