Arsenal transfer news: Ryan Fraser bid planned as Manchester United end interest
Exclusive: Arsenal want Scotland international Fraser to provide competition to Alex Iwobi, with Bournemouth likely to sell now rather than risk losing the player on a free transfer next summer
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal plan to firm up their interest in Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser after next week’s Europa League final against Chelsea, with the 25-year-old one of Unai Emery’s transfer targets this summer.
Fraser has enjoyed a fine campaign under Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, contributing 14 assists in the Premier League this season – behind only Chelsea forward Eden Hazard – and establishing himself in Scotland’s national team.
He is entering the final year of his contract after seven seasons at the Vitality Stadium, with Bournemouth eager for the player to put pen to paper on a new deal with the club. But negotiations between the two parties have stalled and there is an acceptance at the south coast club that it would be better to sell Fraser than risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Bournemouth are understood to be holding out for a price in the region of £30m, particularly as Aberdeen will be owed around 20 per cent of the transfer fee after insisting upon a sell-on fee when they sold the player to the then League One side back in 2013.
Yet Arsenal are hopeful of signing the player for less given their relatively modest transfer budget this summer, which will decrease even further if they fail to win in Baku and secure Champions League football next season.
They are also increasingly confident of avoiding a bidding war for the player, with The Independent understanding that Manchester United have no interest in the Scotland international, contrary to recent reports.
Liverpool have meanwhile watched the player this season but would be unable to offer him assurances of a regular first-team place, unlike at the Emirates.
Emery is determined to sign a new wide forward to provide competition for Alex Iwobi after the club’s disastrous loan signing of Denis Suárez, with the Spain international making just six substitute appearances for the club since arriving from Barcelona.
Earlier this season Fraser admitted to being flattered by the interest being shown in him from Arsenal, describing Emery’s side as “a massive club”.
“I am not going to lie, it is very nice,” Fraser replied in April when asked about being linked with Arsenal. “It means you are doing something right. They are a huge club, a massive club.
“When you see your name thrown around you always think to yourself that you are a Bournemouth player and you try to do well.
“I am not going to lie, you do feel good, especially when it's a massive club.”
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