Southampton look set to push their summer transfer business all the way to the wire as Russell Martin keeps his fingers crossed for one or two more last minute deals.
The transfer window slams shut at 11pm in the UK and Southampton hope to add to their Deadline Day deal for Aaron Ramsdale with two wingers.
The first of these is Maxwel Cornet of West Ham, who is understood to be undergoing a medical ahead of signing on a season-long loan with an option to buy.
The other is Ryan Fraser, the 30-year-old winger who spent last season on loan at Southampton as the club were promoted from the Championship.
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Now, the second of those deals looks to be edging closer, with one key factor crucial to the transfer.
Ryan Fraser agrees to terminate Newcastle United contract to sign for Southampton
With Fraser frozen out by Eddie Howe at Newcastle and Southampton keen to sign the Scotland international, a deal early this summer was considered a foregone conclusion by many.
However, that is not what materialised and a deal looked dead until earlier today.
It has now been revealed what has changed to make a deal possible, as reporter Mark McAdam revealed live on Sky Sports: “It’s our understanding that he [Fraser] has agreed a mutual termination with Newcastle.
“So he potentially could leave Newcastle today, become a free agent, then sign for Russell Martin and Southampton.
“We understand there’s a decent length deal on the table for the winger. We know that Russell Martin is a huge fan of Fraser.
“He’s just got to tie up those loose ends at Newcastle before he can formally be a free transfer and then sign for Southampton but we understand that one is edging closer.”
Fraser move to Southampton makes sense for all parties
It is strange that it has taken until the last day of the transfer window to find a solution that allows Fraser to join Southampton given it is a move that suits everyone.
Newcastle get a player off the books who has no future at the club a year ahead of his contract expiring, Southampton get an experienced player who helped them massively last season and Fraser gets to be a valued player again.
If Fraser has agreed to rip up his contract then a deal does not have to be done ahead of the 11pm deadline as he will then become a free agent, meaning the rush to get this deal done is not so intense.
Whilst he may not start every week, Fraser will be a welcome addition to the Southampton ranks.