According to sources close to Newcastle United in the North East, Ryan Fraser has already agreed terms with Southampton and his move to St Mary's on a permanent basis just needs rubber stamping by the St James Park Hierarchy.
Usually if you want a transfer snippet with a bit of truth behind it, the local newspaper tends to be the best place to go, therefore when Tyneside;s Chronicle Live comments on movements in or out of St James Park there is usually a bit of substance in the story.
They are saying that Ryan Fraser has already agreed personal terms with Southampton and is now awaiting the green light from Newcastle.
They go on to say that after spending last season on loan with the Saints and helping Russell Martin's side to promotion, the winger is keen on the move and has no future at Newcastle after being accused of lacking commitment by Eddie Howe. Chronicle Live understands that Fraser is now just waiting for a financial settlement from the Magpies.
The Scot still has a year left on his Newcastle contract and earns around £70,000 a week after joining the Magpies in 2020 as a free agent from Bournemouth where he first fell out with Eddie Howe after refusing to sign a new contract and exercising his right to move as a free agent.
He is unlikely to get £70,000 a week at St Mary's, so it can only be assumed that Newcastle are going to pay him some compensation for his drop in wages in leaving as well as letting him go on a free transfer.