Graeme Souness issues verdict on £27,000-a-week man Spurs and Arsenal reportedly want

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Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness has issued his verdict on reported Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal target Ryan Fraser, who is expected to become a free agent this summer.

The 26-year-old winger joined Bournemouth in January 2013 from Aberdeen and has made 208 appearances for the south coast club, claiming 24 goals and 33 assists in that time, according to Transfermarkt.

Fraser, whose contract runs out this summer, was especially impressive last season for the Cherries, registering seven goals and 14 assists in the Premier League.

This season, prior to the football shutdown, he admittedly wasn’t quite on the same level as last term – one goal and four assists – but there still appears to be plenty of interest in him.

According a report in 90min from March, Arsenal had reignited their interest in the Scotland international from last summer, while Tottenham and Everton are also contemplating approaches for him.

Asked about Fraser’s situation on Sky Sports (9:47am, May 18, 2020), Scotland legend Souness said: “Well, I think given no-one will have the same spending power this summer – and he is going to be a free. I think some people will take a chance on him.

“He can perform in the Premier League and he has done that very well at times. When you go to a big football club and the pressure is really on you every time you turn up on a matchday to win that game. That does strange things to people – and I’ve witnessed it.

“I suppose people will take a chance because he’s a free and given they don’t have the same cash to splash this summer.”

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While Souness’ comments appear to be mild praise at best, his fellow Sky Sports pundit and Scotland legend Charlie Nicholas had much kinder words for Fraser, having previously described him as a “little pocket dynamo” with “creative, natural talent”.

Particularly with the uncertain financial situation in the football industry in wake of the global health crisis, talented free agents such as Fraser are likely to be in very high demand, and with a current salary of £27,000-a-week (Spotrac), he wouldn’t break the bank.