Despite the player himself expressing his desire to leave Newcastle United and join Southampton and his well publicised friction with Eddie Howe it seems that his time in the north East may drag on a little longer.

Ryan Fraser has barely played for Newcastle since Eddie Howe arrived at the club in November 2021, initially he kept his place in the side, but in the following season his Newcastle first team career was over by October 2022, it seems that Howe could not let the feud that started at the end of Fraser's time at Bournemouth drop.
Before joining Saints he has been banished to the U21 squad.

So when he arrived at St Mary's at the end of August 2023, he had not played much football in the best part of 10 months, more than that he had not trained at the level needed for first team football.

It was hoped that his permanent move to Southampton would have been long done and dusted by now, after all what could be more simple, a player is not wanted at his parent club and he want's to join a club he has spent a season on loan with.

But according to The Newcastle Chronicle the deal is far from done and from what they say, it seems Eddie Howe is making it as difficult as possible for a player with whom he clearly holds a grudge.

They go on to confirm that Fraser is completely frozen out by Howe, he was not included in Newcastle's trip to the Adidas headquarters in Germany last week and it seems that Howe is quite prepared to banish him to the U21 squad again.

Fraser and Howe's falling out remains clouded in mystery, it seems to have originated back in the summer of 2020, when after letting his contract run down so he could join Newcastle, Fraser did not extend his contract in the summer of that year, to allow him to play for Bournemouth in the covid extended season after it's restart.

But surely Eddie howe would have forgiven that by now and it seems initially he did, but it has got worse rather than better and there is a more deep rooted issue than what was assumed to be the cause, neither side have revealed just what that issue is.

So the stalemate at the moment would appear to be money, the Wee Man is entering the final year of his contract, and although his wages will be higher than what Saints would be willing to pay, it should have been easy to reach a compromise.

At 30 and with a year left of his contract, not to mention not having played top flight football for nearly two years, Fraser's market value is low, so surely Newcastle would be keen to get his wages off the books.

But that doesn't seem to be the case and it seems another loan deal could be on the cards according to The Newcastle Chronicle .

There has to be a bit of give and take here, but by the look of it neither Ryan Fraser or Eddie Howe are in the mood to back down.

Photo: Action Images

WestSussexSaint added 10:09 - Jul 22 Whatever the rights and wrongs of their relationship at Bournemouth, it serves no one to drag this out the way it’s being portrayed. Eddie Howe should be mindful of how the optics of this may play out as it’s not a good look to his potential bosses at the FA.
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stmichael added 10:17 - Jul 22 I imagine Fraser himself is trying to get money out of Newcastle for the final year of his contract. Maybe to compensate for the difference in wages. I think Fraser himself needs to think long and hard whether playing football at this stage of his carreer is more important than money. Ther is a reason why he is not particularly liked at AFCB and the Mags and it would appear his selfishness to put himself before the needs of the clubs and dare I say a bit of Greed has cost him dozens of games in his carreer and may cost him a few more.

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SaintPaulVW added 10:29 - Jul 22 I would have thought that Newcastle who got held back by FFP rules last year would be only to keen to get one off their books. Whether the big changes to Senior management is holding everything up. I understand the Saudis now need to sign every decision off.
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Bowlercow added 11:07 - Jul 22 From memory he refused to help Bournemouth avoid relegation I believe they wanted him to play on a match by match basis His arguement was that a serious injury could stop his move to the Mags Is Howe doing it out of spite or is he scared Ryan will play a blinder in the first game of the season As for Howe getting the England job Yes he is a possible but he has absolutely no international experience either as a player or a coach so his chances a slim at best

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Monksway added 12:00 - Jul 22 Agree with St Michael. Very much doubt this is to do with Eddie Howe, he has far more important things to concern him as manager. I expect Fraser's wages are a problem with Saints unwilling to match Newcastle and Frazer unwilling to take a drop in salary.
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A1079 added 12:17 - Jul 22 Though I have enjoyed Fraser since he joined us and he has made a difference, I doubt that this is as black and white (unintended pub) as we would perhaps like it to be. I doubt that Fraser is entirely blameless and we have seen it ourselves with some players. As someone has said, I would think Eddie Howe has bigger fish to fry than focus on the shenanigans around Fraser. I suspect (and here I am being a cynic) they would probably welcome nothing being sorted until after we have played Newcastle. I am happy if Fraser joins us but if he is made permanent I hope he does not become difficult if he is not on the teamsheet as often as he thinks he should be. I am not saying Howe has been perfect as I have no idea but you cannot blame for Newcastle playing it hard.

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