Crystal Palace are leading the race to sign the former Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser, according to journalist Alex Crook.
Fraser’s contract on the south coast was due to expire at the end of June, however, by the time the Premier League returned after the stoppage caused by the pandemic, the Scotland international was not willing to sign a short-term extension in order to complete the season with the Cherries from fear of jeopardising a potential move this summer (via The Guardian).
Having been linked with a number of clubs, it appears Selhurst Park is the 26-year-old’s most likely destination, with the Eagles being declared as ‘favourites’ for his signature, as per Crook’s tweet on Wednesday afternoon.
Fraser signed for Bournemouth back in 2013 from the Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in a deal reportedly worth £432k (via Transfermarkt.co.uk).
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The player scored 24 goals and provided 33 assists in 208 appearances for Bournemouth during his time at the Vitality Stadium (via Transfermarkt.co.uk). However, last season, he only managed to find the net once in the Premier League and his average performance rating according to WhoScored.com was 6.57/10.
Previously, Arsenal and Tottenham were both said to have had an interest in the winger, but it appears that neither of those two clubs are planning to sign him. Crook said in his tweet that a move to south London would not quite be ‘the glamour move he was hoping for this time last year’, which suggests Fraser was hoping for a move to a so-called bigger club upon his Bournemouth departure.
In our view, signing the £15.75m-rated Fraser would represent a smart piece of business by the Eagles with very little risk given he is available on a free transfer.