Southampton manager Russell Martin has made his stance on Ryan Fraser clear after his 2023/24 loan.
Preparation is well underway at Southampton as Russell Martin has his eyes set firmly on the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Saints’ start to pre-season has been strong, remaining unbeaten after participating in three friendlies against Eastleigh, Bordeaux and Montpellier.
Though Martin’s focus is on how to improve his squad ahead of next term, the manager has several decisions to make away from the pitch in the transfer window.
Russell Martin makes Southampton’s transfer stance on Ryan Fraser clear
One call that the boss will have to make is about whether the club continue to push to lure Ryan Fraser away from Tyneside this summer.
The 30-year-old spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Southampton, with his future extremely unclear as he looks set to leave Newcastle before deadline day.
Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin cleared up the Saints’ stance on the situation, explaining that he wants to sign the player but it won’t be easy.
“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.
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“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.”
Martin went on to express that Southampton will remain firm in their approach for Fraser however, the club equally accept that not every transfer wish can come true.
“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.”
Fraser could be important to Saints on Premier League return
Being a player with 173 appearances in the English top flight, Fraser’s expertise could come of great use to Martin on and off the pitch next term.
While the south coast club’s admiration for the player is no secret, the transfer is proving to be a difficult one despite many expecting it to be straightforward.
The fact remains that Fraser doesn’t have a future at Newcastle, having made only 59 appearances for the club over his four-year association, whether that be down to injury or competition.
At Saints, the winger thrived when called upon, being called “outstanding” by journalist Adam Blackmore for his efforts at St Mary’s last season.
It will be particularly interesting to see how hard Southampton plan to push for Fraser, whose future remains very much unclear as Newcastle hold the keys to his plans.