Ryan Fraser REJECTS Bournemouth contract extension and will leave on free transfer as Arsenal circle
RYAN FRASER has REJECTED a short-term contract to see out the season at Bournemouth.
SunSport revealed a week ago that the Scottish winger was due to depart the Cherries at the end of June, despite their looming relegation battle.
And now the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham will be able to swoop for Fraser and seal an early summer bargain.
Speculation around the 26-year-old's future began last season as he accumulated an impressive tally of eight goals and 15 assists.
At one point ALL of the top-six were monitoring his progress.
Fraser rejected the chance to sign a new deal at the time and his form notably dropped off.
This campaign has been far from straightforward with just the one goal and Bournemouth languishing in the relegation zone ahead of the Premier League restart.
He admitted publicly in January that speculation over his future meant he had “not played for the team” in the first half of the season and apologised to his teammates.
Eddie Howe's side host Crystal Palace on Saturday night and now must battle the drop without Fraser.
However the quartet of Artur Boruc, Charlie Daniels, Andrew Surman and captain Simon Francis have all agreed temporary extensions, the Cherries confirmed on Wednesday.
A club statement added: "Winger Ryan Fraser has declined to sign a short-term contract extension.";
Teams have been handed a deadline of June 23 to temporarily sign up players who are out of contract at end of the season, following the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
Fraser has been training with the first-team and is still eligible to face the Eagles on the weekend, as well as the subsequent trip to Wolves.
But, should he complete a quickfire move after his contract ends on June 30, he will be unable to play for his new team this season.
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It represents a sad end to Fraser’s time at Bournemouth, whom he joined for £400,000 from Aberdeen seven years ago with the club down in League One.
The jet-heeled wideman developed into a top player under Eddie Howe’s tutelage.
And there will be anger among fans that the pint-sized star has opted not to see out the delayed season with his side's survival very much in doubt.
