Southampton supporters would have expected the transfer of Ryan Fraser from Newcastle United to have happened weeks ago, yet the situation seems to have reached a stalemate, Russell Martin has spoken out about the situation.

Tyneside media outlet Chronicle Live have been reporting on the Ryan Fraser situation.

They report that Ryan Fraser himself is pushing for the move, but with one year left on his contract, negotiations are proving difficult, earlier in the summer is was reported that Newcastle were keen to get the player off the books to help with Financial Fair Play rules, but they now seem to have changed tactics.

Whether this is the club itself or whether this is to do with manager Eddie Howe who has a well documented feud with Fraser dating back over four years to the time they spent together at Bournemouth and now Howe is reaping a bit of retribution is unclear.

The Chronicle are reporting that Saints boss Russell Martin has had this to say,

"I think we're all hopeful that at some point that will happen. But he's contracted to Newcastle. I think he would love to come back and we would love to keep him.

"Everyone wants him: Me, the fans, the owners, the players and the staff - Wee Man himself, but he is under contract at another club and a good contract.

"It's their prerogative to do what they want with him at the moment and unfortunately for us and for Wee Man, it's not what we want.

"There'll come a time where if a deal can't be done with Newcastle, we're going to have to move on to other people and I think that's a natural thing. So much of football is about timing and there might come a time where it's no longer viable for us or an option. We have to be looking at other people as well."

So it seems there is some sort of hold up and it seems that Russell Martin is insinuating that the issue is now something a little more personal.

Photo: Action Images

Stupandus added 22:08 - Jul 28 Eddie Howe has obviously got a grudge against Fraser. Which has been well documented in the past. The thought of him being touted as the a prospect of becoming the next England manager fills me with horror.
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JRC added 22:35 - Jul 28 Howe is reported to have omitted Fraser from 1st team training, for reasons we don't know. There is no evidence that he is blocking Fraser's move. He has nothing to gain from doing so. It's more likely that the money men are trying to exploit our enthusiasm for getting Fraser back to get some financial benefit for their club. That's their job.
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JRC added 22:36 - Jul 28 Howe is reported to have omitted Fraser from 1st team training, for reasons we don't know. There is no evidence that he is blocking Fraser's move. He has nothing to gain from doing so. It's more likely that the money men are trying to exploit our enthusiasm for getting Fraser back to get some financial benefit for their club. That's their job.
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Colburn added 00:25 - Jul 29 We showed our hand, they know we’re keen, they’re holding out for as much as possible. The BB Diaz deal looks almost done though and at £7M sounds like good business. I hope the situation with O’Riley swings in our favour this week too, Ramsdale on loan then we’re nearly there!
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WestSussexSaint added 07:54 - Jul 29 Aside from the reported animosity between player and manager there are plenty of parallels with the tall Paul situation. I think most fans want Saints to get a fair price for tall Paul’s transfer so is this really any different to Newcastle holding out for the same for Fraser?
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stmichael added 08:01 - Jul 29 I think it’s more likely Ryan’s demands for leaving Newcastle early that are holding up the deal. And they quite reasonably don’t feel they should pay him anythjng..
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Monksway added 08:14 - Jul 29 Very much doubt it's anything personal between Howe and Frazer. Key phrase from RM is that Frazer is on a very good contract and I've suspect he is wanting somebody to make up the difference in salary if he goes before the end of his contract.
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Block8 added 17:07 - Jul 29 It would seem that Fraser wants his contract paid up to make up for the wages he will lose by signing for us. He is a big earner and Newcastle were subsidising his loan to us. I believe it's Fraser that's holding this deal up!
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